Resources

Nordic Music Creators Reports (2025)

Here you will find the highlights of the main findings and practical guidance from the two companion reports by Bob Burke, with summaries, regional insights, and examples drawn directly from the full PDFs. Use the links below to access the complete documents.

Industry Overview Report 2025 (PDF) Artist Development & Distribution 2025 (PDF)

Webinar: Industry Overview - Music Distribution and Funding Opportunities

Industry Overview: Key Takeaways

Global growth continues: The recorded music market rose again in 2023, with streaming as the primary driver and physical formats rebounding (vinyl & CD growth). (IFPI 2024)
Europe: Nordic countries show high streaming penetration while Eastern Europe and Baltics accelerate from a lower base. Domestic repertoire remains strong across the EU.
Nordic focus: Sweden, Norway, Finland (plus Denmark & Iceland) show steady expenditure and revenue projections through 2028, with majors leading market share and dynamic indie ecosystems.
Formats mix: Streaming dominates, but performance rights and synchronization also expanded; downloads continue to decline.

Regions Covered

Aurora region across Finland (Lappi → Pohjois-Karjala), Sweden (Norrbotten → Jämtland, Idre Sameby), and Norway (Finnmark → Innlandet / Elgå Reinbeitedistrikt).

Useful Organisations

Export Music Sweden
Music Norway
Music Finland
NOMEX (Nordic Music Export Programme)

Country Snapshots (projections)

Sweden

High subscription engagement; Spotify-native market. Expenditure & revenue growth expected to 2028; majors plus strong indies/publishers.

Norway

Growing revenues with Universal, Sony & Warner leading; export grants and internationalization via Music Norway.

Finland

Market dominated by majors (c. 94% share in 2023), with Music Finland supporting export & visibility; steady growth through 2028.

Denmark & Iceland

Both project continued growth in expenditure & revenue through 2028; export offices (MXD, Iceland Music) build international reach.

Artist Development & Distribution: What to Know

Two paths coexist: label partnerships (A&R + marketing investment) and empowered independence via distribution tech.

If you work with a label

Labels invest heavily in A&R and marketing (multi‑$bn annually) and act as creative & funding partners.
Partnership scope now spans music, visuals, live, storytelling & platform strategy.

If you stay independent

Keep masters & control; distribute globally via aggregators or white‑label tech.
Choose a partner type: Major‑owned indie services, Indie distributors/partners, White‑label pipelines, Open aggregators, or Semi‑label services (e.g., AWAL, Amuse).

Examples of distribution options

Major‑affiliated indie services

ADA (WMG), Virgin Music (UMG), The Orchard (Sony).

Indie partners

Believe, Redeye Worldwide, Idol, Ditto Plus, Absolute, Octiive, Record Union, Symphonic, Stem, Songtradr, ReverbNation.

White‑label

FUGA, CI, SonoSuite (for labels needing scalable tech & control).

Open aggregators

DistroKid, TuneCore, CD Baby, iMusician, LANDR, RouteNote, Soundrop, ONErpm, UnitedMasters, Music Gateway, Horus.

Semi‑label

AWAL & Amuse combine distribution with selective, data‑driven label‑like support.

Video & Short‑form Matters

For ages 16–24, daily music engagement is dominated by short‑form video (TikTok/Reels), with audio streaming and YouTube close behind. Consider a video monetization stack (YouTube, Patreon, Link‑in‑bio stores, SVOD/TVOD platforms like Cleeng, Muvi, Dacast, Vimeo OTT) to diversify income.

AI: Opportunities & Risks

Assistive tools speed creation, but ethics & training data matter.
Rightsholders increasingly publish “reservation of rights” statements; EU AI Act enforcement will be key.
Focus on authenticity for audience connection; AI won’t replace live performance.