Music can and should be a form of community and resistance. It's connection, it's catharsis, and particularly in a time where creativity has been demonised (or replaced with AI slop), it's rebellion. The sad truth is it's also become an outlet for callous major corporations to artwash their reputations. Look at the US army pouring money into SXSW. Barclays partnered with major festivals in the hopes the consumer looks away from its investments in and financial services provided to companies arming Israel . Festival conglomerate Superstruct faced boycotts over its ties to KKR, a firm that has invested in Israeli tech and data firms and was reportedly connected to weapons manufacturers and defence contractors. See also, Spotify's Daniel Ek funding AI war drones or their recent spate of running ICE adverts to recruit more bootlickers for the Trump regime and spread terror across America. It creates a climate in which artists become disadvantaged simply for doing the right thing, whether facing censorship or a financial black hole from boycotting festivals whose values they don't align with. But what if there was another way? What if music was to reject blood pressure-raising ticket prices and over-corporate environments and choose independence, affordability and political action instead? This is where the brand new Bulletproof Festival comes in, created by the Peace & Justice Project's Music For The Many project. It's been created as a direct response to these existing issues, offering a supportive, politically driven platform for artists to unite people and use their platforms to call for change. On top of this, it's also championing grassroots venues, connecting artists and fans with the rooms that serve as the lifeblood of the UK's touring circuit. ## FREE 7-DAY TRIAL Unlock full access to Drowned in Sound - including in-depth essays, articles from the archive, and behind-the-scenes reporting - with our ****free 7-day trial****. FREE ALL-ACCESS PASS “The very creation of Bulletproof Festival is in itself a challenge to the status quo," said festival organiser Samuel Sweek. "We are showing that communities hold more power than corporations, and that we do not have to believe the lie that sponsorship from the profiteers of war is key to the survival of music festivals. "Our movement has taken down festival sponsorship giants such as Barclays and moved the framing of the debate on the ticket levy to save grassroots music venues. These were phenomenal and unprecedented victories, but there is more to do, and there must always be more to do. "Bulletproof Festival is just the beginning and will serve as the prototype for a new era for the music industry, touring, nurturing the creativity of up-and-coming talent, and ensuring live music is affordable and accessible for all. "This is a revolution and we are proud to be the insurgents.” The Venn diagram between Bulletproof's values and those of Drowned In Sound is essentially one circle. It's how I came to interview Jeremy Corbyn at the launch event in September - and how we have come to jump on board as the festival's media partners. I, for one, could not be more excited. Bulletproof takes place from Thursday 4th to Saturday 6th June across**EartH, The Shacklewell Arms, The Victoria and the Jago** in east London. The event will be headlined by **Maruja**(Thursday),**Sprints** (Friday) and **Pussy Riot: Riot Days -** a powerful fusion of theatre, live music and literature inspired by the memoir of Pussy Riot's Maria Alyokhina****(Saturday). You'll also be able to catch the following: ### Thursday * **CQ Wrestling** * **Soapbox** * **Yard** * **Yakkie** * **Dead Air** * **Gabby Rivers** * **Speit** * **Deva St. John** ### Friday * **CLT DRP** * **Alien Chicks** * **Gender Crisis** * **Ellis D** * **Paradise Fell.** * **Currls** * **Comforts** * **Moskito** * **Chuck SJ** * **Isabella Strange** ### Saturday * **Snayx** * **Jools** * **The Oozes** * **Hongza** * **Room Service** * **Frances Mistry** * **Generation Feral** * **Softtop** The Peace & Justice Project's Jeremy Corbyn added: “We are proud to finally launch the Bulletproof line-up – this is the result of over a year of planning, discussions, research and hard work. "We are delighted that Maruja, SPRINTS and Pussy Riot have agreed to join the inaugural Bulletproof line-up. Each act has a proven track record in speaking out against oppression, and toured the world and grown their support in every continent. It is beyond commendable that, at great cost, these artists have never strayed from the path of fighting tyranny and standing up for what is right. "There have been efforts across the global music industry, and beyond, to suppress and demonise any artist who has spoken up for basic humanity and against the British government’s role in Israeli war crimes, including Kneecap and Bob Vylan. This disturbing pattern must be stopped – and the Bulletproof Festival is celebrating the spirit of resistance that ended apartheid in South Africa and continues to highlight the genocides in Gaza, Sudan and other places.” Tickets are on sale from **Wednesday (11th February) at 11am** - you can buy yours here. ### Related read Jeremy Corbyn on grassroots musicJeremy Corbyn has gone from Leader of the Opposition to a champion of grassroots music - and now, his Peace & Justice project is launching a festival. We ask - how did he come to speak up for a cause few other MPs have?Drowned in SoundEmma Wilkes

January's album of the month, a speaking songs playlist, and a hopeful podcast.

<p>Kate Nash is in the most heroic form of her career right now. Between <a href="https://open.qobuz.com/track/335278296" rel="noreferrer">standing up for trans rights</a> and shouting about grassroots venues from the top deck of a bright red bus, she's become a proud spokesperson for the beleaguered artists holding up the music industry and not getting their fair payout while the suits in offices rake in their bonuses. I think it's punk as hell. If you know me, you'll know that's one of the highest compliments I can give. </p><p>Though she's made headlines in a louder, bolder way in the last couple of years by revealing she'd <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cwygdzn4dw4o" rel="noreferrer">turned to OnlyF*ns to subsidise the losses</a> from her <em>9 Sad Symphonies </em>tour, using her platform is nothing new, speaking up has always been a part of her artistry. She's <a href="https://www.femalefirst.co.uk/music/musicnews/Kate+Nash-102914.html" rel="noreferrer">donated instruments to schools</a>, <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-14501631" rel="noreferrer">assisted in the clean-ups after the 2011 riots</a>, campaigned for more <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/european-union-festival-lineups-keychange-initiative-kate-nash-eu-a9046531.html" rel="noreferrer">equal gender balances on festival bills</a> and even set about providing better <a href="https://americansongwriter.com/kate-nash-on-glow-cancelation-new-music-and-the-failure-of-the-music-industry-to-respond-to-metoo/" rel="noreferrer">sex education to the music industry through Keychain</a>. </p><p>Now, she's appeared as part of a parliamentary select committee for the <a href="https://committees.parliament.uk/work/9530/state-of-play-performing-arts-touring-in-the-eu/" rel="noreferrer">State Of Play inquiry</a> as part of a session examining performing arts touring in the EU, including the damage that Brexit has enacted on the bank balances of touring musicians. </p><figure class="kg-card kg-embed-card"><iframe width="200" height="113" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HY3U9EMvTEY?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen title="Kate Nash - Mighty Hoopla Documentary"></iframe></figure><figure class="kg-card kg-embed-card"><iframe width="200" height="113" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ryH5cga0yUI?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen title="Kate Nash - Foundations"></iframe></figure><p>I was there for the session, where Nash spoke alongside Naomi Pohl of the Musicians' Union (who previously appeared on <a href="https://www.drownedinsound.org/podcasts/" rel="noreferrer">our podcast</a>) and Hanna Madalska-Gayer, Head of Policy and Communications at Association of British Orchestras. </p><p>All three were commanding speakers, conveying the sobering reality of having to drown in paperwork just to get to play in Europe. Bound up in red tape and extra costs, touring in Europe has become significantly less financially viable, with Nash herself admitting she'd lost £26,000 in touring the continent, as well as £13,000 on her last UK tour. </p><p>Nash pointed out:</p><blockquote class="kg-blockquote-alt">"Historically we've been celebrated around the world for our contribution to music. We have fewer opportunities to tour and have opportunities to profit from tours in other countries, I think we're at risk of losing that reputation, that status, that sense of pride in our culture.</blockquote><blockquote class="kg-blockquote-alt">"It will have a knock on effect on the UK economy. The more we limit artists in this sense, the more that we limit UK culture on a global scale."</blockquote><h2 id="what-are-the-main-problems-artists-touring-the-eu-face">What are the main problems artists touring the EU face?</h2><ul><li><strong>Carnets -</strong> You may have heard artists bemoan the bureaucracy of carnets, a customs document that acts like a 'passport for goods' on which artists have to list all their equipment. These are costly, particularly with a security deposit amounting to 30-40 per cent of the value of the items. The introduction of digital carnets also means that if some equipment is broken, an artist has to re-pay for the carnet all over again</li><li><strong>Confusing paperwork</strong> - There is a lack of standardisation in terms of the paperwork required in each EU member state. and a lack of comprehensive information available about it. At worst, innocently missing some necessary paperwork can result in fines. </li><li><strong>The 90/180 day rule</strong> - Spending more than 90 out of every 180 days in the <a href="https://www.gov.uk/travel-to-eu-schengen-area" rel="noreferrer">Schengen area </a>is not allowed without a visa. This is particularly damaging for crew, who might be needed on multiple European tours in a year. In fact, according to Pohl, this rule meant Robbie Williams had to hire a second crew for his European tour and said crew were discouraged from taking holidays in the EU. </li><li><strong>Queues at passport control</strong> - Not only are delays at borders stressful and tiring, they potentially squeeze artists' travel and rehearsal time. At worst, they can mean a band misses a show and loses their fee for the night. It also increases costs by pushing artists to build in extra travel days into their schedule to insulate against lengthy delays. </li></ul><h2 id="how-bad-is-the-state-of-eu-touring">How bad is the state of EU touring?</h2><p>It's bleak. In the <a href="https://musiciansunion.org.uk/news/touring-in-the-eu-post-brexit-key-findings-and-next-steps-from-the-mu-s-recent-survey" rel="noreferrer">Musicians' Union's 2024 survey</a>, 75 per cent of respondents reported a decline in their income from touring Europe and 59 per cent said EU touring was not financially viable. </p><p>Nash also referenced this preventing artists from taking opportunities in the EU, meaning they lose out on opportunities to improve as performers and build their international fanbases. Red tape can affect a tour's entire budget and at worst can involve crew members losing jobs. Nash recalled hearing musicians ask, when looking at all these costs adding up, "What's the point?" </p><p>It also damages the viability of a musician's career full stop. Kate Nash outlined seeing artists selling instruments and possessions to try and stay afloat, as well as taking second jobs. Chances are, she's not the only artist on OF either. </p><p>"I don't think I would be able to have the career that I have if I was starting now," admitted Nash. Later, she asked: "Why is it worse now? It should be better," calling the situation "a massive letdown to this entire country." </p><h2 id="what-can-be-done-about-it">What can be done about it?</h2><ul><li><strong>Renegotiating carnet fees</strong> - The Government might be able to have some control over just how much carnets cost, and the suggestion was made during the meeting that to some extent, they are a money-making exercise</li><li><strong>Clearing the backlog of A1 forms with HMRC</strong> - these are forms confirming someone is still paying National Insurance while working abroad, and more resources are needed to reduce the logjam </li><li><strong>Introducing a touring visa for musicians </strong></li><li><strong>More information available about what paperwork is needed </strong></li></ul><p>"This is a problem that is worth solving," concluded Nash. "Take seriously the people who are making all the money," she added - addressing the industry at large - "if we can profit from our work, we can contribute more and the ecosystem can flourish." </p><h2 id="watch-a-30min-edit-of-kate-nashs-evidence-over-on-our-youtube">Watch A 30min Edit of <strong>Kate Nash's</strong> Evidence Over On <a href="https://youtube.com/@drownedinsound/" rel="noreferrer">Our YouTube</a></h2><figure class="kg-card kg-embed-card"><iframe width="200" height="113" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3J-Fr9dNcxs?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen title="Kate Nash vs Brexit: What Really Happened to British Musicians After 2020"></iframe></figure><p>I then caught up with the artist after the hearing, where I asked what her message to Live Nation, Spotify and major labels was after she called them out in her address.</p><p>"You better watch out because I am going direct to the government. A lot of artists have been banging their heads against the wall for a long time," she said. You are not necessarily gonna be included in the conversation at this point because you haven't shown any sort of support or that you're willing to do anything to benefit artists, yet you are profiting off of their work. I ain't giving up and I don't wanna talk to you [pointing at industry]. I wanna talk to them [pointing at Parliament]."</p><p>But what can fans do?</p><p>"I would stop buying crazy VIP packages to arena concerts because I think that's a scam and a waste of your money," Nash advised. "But fans are really supportive already. Staying informed, understanding, and being vocal about the fact that the music industry's a broken ecosystem - making the government realize how seriously people take music can be part of positive change."</p>

A t-shirt slogan, a Welsh village hall, and what’s quietly breaking in live music

<hr /><p><strong>In this week's newsletter:</strong></p><ul><li><strong>Floor-filling rave punk is the order of the day for Track Of The Week</strong></li><li><strong>Inside the business rates relief pubs and live music venues were granted this week</strong></li><li><strong>Could we see more artists cancel their US tours?</strong></li></ul><p>Imagine a room where everyone's jumping as if they had both a shared mind and a shared soul, where a mosh pit has yawned open and very few people are capturing anything on their phones. It's not as rare as it might seem. It's what I took in when I went to the Amersham Arms in New Cross, south-east London on Tuesday night to see Nova Twins put on a stellar showing for just 300 people. </p><p>It's not that dissimilar to where I was almost four years ago, when my 21-year-old self wandered awkwardly around Birmingham's Moor Street trying to find a bus to take to the Castle and Falcon. I'd never been to a gig by myself - and neither had I sat on a bus to get there, to an area of Birmingham that I'm told is not the nicest. These were only small impediments. I was going to see Nova Twins and nobody could tell me I couldn't. </p><p>At the time, the duo had only released one album, and their traction had begun to properly accelerate. It was one of my earliest experiences of grassroots music, and one of the experiences that's aged the best. Now, they're omnipresent, spreading joy and unity wherever they go and calling for change from even bigger stages - and they're ambassadors for everything good, including Amnesty International, Music Minds Matter and now, Independent Venue Week. </p><p>Independent Venue Week, which is unfolding as we speak across 236 of the UK's grassroots venues, have organised a stacked programme of shows with the aim of showcasing the magic within their walls. For Nova Twins, it was a full circle moment too. This venue was where they played growing up and honing their craft - bassist Georgia South even played a show there on her 18th birthday, in the same room where she had her first legal pint. This was the room that made them. So many artists will have had a space like that, to play around, mess up, have fun and connect with the faces staring back at them. </p><figure class="kg-card kg-embed-card"><iframe width="200" height="113" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0xyRwrTidoY?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen title="Nova Twins - Monsters (Official Music Video)"></iframe></figure><p>The audiences are special. There's always a joyous fizz in the air at a Nova Twins show, but it struck a different tone in the Amersham Arms compared to their far bigger Kentish Town Forum show in October. They have a friendly fanbase as it is, but the atmosphere was warmer somehow in an intimate pub basement than a chain venue. The sense of togetherness poured through even during support act Ashaine White's set, punters near the back gently cheering her on as she spoke to the crowd, and as she played the moving 'I Sing To Myself' - tenderly capturing the helplessness of watching world tragedy through a screen - the silence and reverence was powerful. I've been in enough corporate chain venues to know this atmosphere is exclusively the preserve of communal, independent spaces. </p><figure class="kg-card kg-embed-card"><iframe width="200" height="150" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/SrzdDkyy6FI?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen title="Ashaine White - I Sing To Myself (Official Video)"></iframe></figure><p>If you're getting gig envy from this, there's still time to get involved - <a href="https://independentvenueweek.com/uk/" rel="noreferrer">click here </a>to see what's going on this week in your local area for Independent Venue Week 2026. </p><hr /><h2 id="jack-from-tickets-for-good-and-the-ticket-bank-is-on-the-podcast">Jack from Tickets For Good and The Ticket Bank is on the podcast</h2><p>A gig is a perfect escape from the strains of daily life - but not everyone has the financial means to drop their worries outside the venue door. This is where two fantastic initiatives come in, with Tickets For Good offering gig tickets to NHS workers, teachers, and carers and the Ticket Bank designed for fans on low incomes. </p><p>Jack explains how the infrastructure works who it serves, and why more artists and venues need to get involved, as well as touring economics, dynamic pricing myths, and the uncomfortable reality that an industry generating billions still prices out the people who need culture most. </p><p>You can subscribe and listen for free on <a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/drowned-in-sound/id1037405920?ref=drownedinsound.org" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Apple</strong></a><strong> | </strong><a href="https://drownedinsound.podbean.com/?ref=drownedinsound.org" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Podbean</strong></a><strong> | </strong><a href="https://pocketcasts.com/podcast/drowned-in-sound/e12e7730-379f-0133-b632-0d11918ab357?ref=drownedinsound.org" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Pocket Casts</strong></a><strong> | </strong><a href="https://podcastaddict.com/podcast/drowned-in-sound/6005286?ref=drownedinsound.org#" rel="noopener noreferrer"><strong>Podcast Addict</strong></a> | or wherever you get your podcasts.</p><hr /><h3 id="track-of-the-week">Track of the Week</h3><h2 id="aux-romanticiser-by-the-itch">'Aux Romanticiser' by The Itch</h2><figure class="kg-card kg-embed-card"><iframe width="200" height="113" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/EJs3cXfA9xo?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen title="The Itch - Aux Romanticiser (Official)"></iframe></figure><p>Do you fancy a dance this week? I rather warmed to the zany floor-filling energy of this new song by rising Luton dance-punk duo The Itch, which combines the fizzing feeling of late night hedonism with a quirky, nostalgic twist. Lyrically, it speaks irreverently of the giddiness of plugging in the aux cable and becoming your own DJ, subjecting everyone around to your idea of the perfect playlist. It sits somewhere in the cross-section between the sounds of LCD Soundsystem, The Dare and Lynks and if that sounds like your cup of tea, their debut album <em>It's The Hope That Kills You is </em>out on 10th April. </p><hr /><h2 id="music-venues-and-pubs-get-business-rates-helpbut-is-it-enough">Music venues and pubs get business rates help - but is it enough?</h2><p>The changes to business rates outlined by Rachel Reeves in the budget could have spelled the death knell for some pubs and live music venues, but in a bid to avoid widespread closures and job losses, the Treasury has provided a support package worth tens of millions of pounds. Every pub or venue will get 15 per cent off its business rates bill from 1st April and for the next two years, bills will be frozen (in real terms) for the next two years. </p><p>Clearly, the backlash against the policies has translated into positive change, but for some, this U-turn doesn't go far enough. The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) said it was merely "a drop in the ocean" given how many concerns it has that haven't been addressed over things like licensing fees and alcohol duty. </p><blockquote>“This policy position is frankly baffling. Pubs, bars, nightclubs, live music venues and cultural spaces are all part of the same fragile ecosystem, facing the same structural challenges and carrying the same disproportionate tax burdens. To support one part while ignoring the rest is not just short-sighted, it is fundamentally disconnected from how this industry actually operates."</blockquote><p>The Music Venue Trust's statement was more positive, saying it "warmly welcomes today’s government statement on urgent and immediate Business Rate relief." They added that they will explore with their Music Venues Alliance venue members "if the proposed 15% reduction in rates payable, followed by a freeze for 2 years, is sufficient to manage this crisis". </p><hr /><h2 id="the-first-of-many-cancelled-us-tours">The first of many cancelled US tours?</h2><figure class="kg-card kg-embed-card"><iframe width="200" height="113" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cHaRiL8Eqkw?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen title="Delilah Bon - Not The President (Lyric Video)"></iframe></figure><p>What do you do when one of your biggest touring markets is an authoritarian hellscape? This week marked the first time I'd seen an artist cancel a US tour over the current state of the country, namely feminist 'brat punk' artist Delilah Bon. She explained <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DTxpilZCGn0/" rel="noreferrer">in a video posted to Instagram</a> that she believed the tour could put her, her touring party and her fans' safety at risk, especially those who are undocumented and could thus be targeted in ICE raids. </p><p>It's perfectly understandable, and a horrendous choice to have to make, but this speaks devastating volumes about how evil the US has become if a queer feminist artist cannot come there and provide an hour or so of catharsis, community and hope. I'm wholly expecting more artists to do the same. All the love and solidarity with Delilah. </p><hr /><h2 id="is-a-reckoning-on-the-way-for-live-nation">Is a reckoning on the way for Live Nation?</h2><figure class="kg-card kg-bookmark-card"><a class="kg-bookmark-container" href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/parliamentary-inquiry-real-implications-sx02e/"><div class="kg-bookmark-content"><div class="kg-bookmark-title">A Parliamentary Inquiry with real implications for live music</div><div class="kg-bookmark-description">As many of you will know, last year AIF brought evidence to the UK Parliament’s Business and Trade Select Committee. We shared detailed data on Live Nation’s control of concerts above 5,000 capacity in the UK.</div><div class="kg-bookmark-metadata"><img class="kg-bookmark-icon" src="https://www.drownedinsound.org/content/images/icon/al2o9zrvru7aqj8e1x2rzsrca-1" alt="" /><span class="kg-bookmark-author">LinkedIn</span><span class="kg-bookmark-publisher">Association of Independent Festivals</span></div></div><div class="kg-bookmark-thumbnail"><img src="https://www.drownedinsound.org/content/images/thumbnail/1768241119817" alt="" /></div></a></figure><p>The window has just closed for evidence relating to a parliamentary inquiry into competition and market functioning in the UK Live Music Industry. If there's enough strong evidence that goes far enough, it could lead to an investigation by the CMA into whether Live Nation, which holds a monopoly, is abusing its market power. </p><p>The Association of Independent Festivals (AIF) has brought evidence to the inquiry and is arguing that Live Nation's market dominance "restricts competition, inflates prices, limits access to culture, stifles creativity, and delivers poor outcomes for both industry and audiences."</p><p>If you've felt priced out as a fan by the cost of tickets to larger gigs, some very interesting developments could be on the way. </p><hr /><h3 id="hopeful-story">Hopeful story</h3><h2 id="could-harry-styles-adding-the-grassroots-levy-be-a-game-changer">Could Harry Styles adding the grassroots levy be a game-changer?</h2><figure class="kg-card kg-embed-card"><iframe width="200" height="113" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7sxVHYZ_PnA?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen title="Harry Styles - Aperture (Official Video)"></iframe></figure><p>As we mentioned last week, Mark Davyd's speech at the launch of the Music Venue Trust's annual report called out Live Nation for dragging their feet when it came to implementing the grassroots levy. Now, however, we might be getting some movement. Harry Styles' eight Wembley Stadium shows taking place in June, which are being promoted by Live Nation, are participating in the grassroots levy. </p><p>If they keep this up with more major shows, given their market power, the levy will have far more chance of success. And, if that wasn't a big enough supply of good news, Styles' shows are also supporting <a href="https://chooselove.org/" rel="noreferrer">humanitarian aid organisation Choose Love</a>, who he has been working with for the last decade. </p><p>Elsewhere, <a href="https://www.kerrang.com/enter-shikari-uk-european-headline-arena-tour-biggest-ever-2026" rel="noreferrer">Enter Shikari's November arena tour</a>, which is also being promoted by Live Nation, will once again carry the grassroots levy. </p><figure class="kg-card kg-bookmark-card"><a class="kg-bookmark-container" href="https://www.drownedinsound.org/music-venue-trust-calls-out-live-nation/"><div class="kg-bookmark-content"><div class="kg-bookmark-title">Music Venue Trust Calls Out Live Nation</div><div class="kg-bookmark-description">The state of grassroots music in the spotlight + track of the week + news Aphex news</div><div class="kg-bookmark-metadata"><img class="kg-bookmark-icon" src="https://www.drownedinsound.org/content/images/icon/DiS-waves-600px--2--59.png" alt="" /><span class="kg-bookmark-author">Drowned in Sound</span><span class="kg-bookmark-publisher">Emma Wilkes</span></div></div><div class="kg-bookmark-thumbnail"><img src="https://www.drownedinsound.org/content/images/thumbnail/Event.jpg" alt="" /></div></a></figure><hr /><div class="kg-card kg-cta-card kg-cta-bg-grey kg-cta-immersive kg-cta-has-img "> <div class="kg-cta-sponsor-label-wrapper"> <div class="kg-cta-sponsor-label"> <span style="white-space:pre-wrap">SPONSORED</span> </div> </div> <div class="kg-cta-content"> <div class="kg-cta-image-container"> <a href="https://qobuz.com/dis"><img src="https://www.drownedinsound.org/content/images/2026/01/Screenshot-2026-01-21-at-23.57.19.png" alt="CTA Image" /></a> </div> <div class="kg-cta-content-inner"> <div class="kg-cta-text"> <p><span style="white-space:pre-wrap">As part of our partnership with </span><b><strong style="white-space:pre-wrap">Qobuz</strong></b><span style="white-space:pre-wrap"> - the service for music enthusiasts featuring high quality sound so that we can rediscover music - we create a companion playlist for each episode of our podcast. </span><a href="https://open.qobuz.com/playlist/53335869" rel="noreferrer" class="cta-link-color"><span style="white-space:pre-wrap">Listen to this week's playlist</span></a><span style="white-space:pre-wrap">, which is a 101 Part Time Jobs special with tunes from Peaches, The National, and kicking things off is our track of the week</span></p><p><span style="white-space:pre-wrap">Start your 30-day free trial of Qobuz: </span></p> </div> <a href="https://qobuz.com/dis" class="kg-cta-button " style="background-color:#000000;color:#ffffff"> Get a 30-day free trial </a> </div> </div> </div>

The state of grassroots music in the spotlight + track of the week + news Aphex news

Podcast Episode · Drowned in Sound · 27/01/2026 · 42m

The state of grassroots music in the spotlight + track of the week + news Aphex news

A t-shirt slogan, a Welsh village hall, and what’s quietly breaking in live music

YouTube video by Drowned in Sound

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