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Music needs fans and fans need music.

Music, like all art, is essential for a healthy democracy and a healthy nation.

It connects us to each other, to our common history and, as Rosanne Cash says, music is “the premier service industry for the heart and soul. We cannot survive without music.”  

About the alliance
crowd at concert - summer music festival
Fan Alliance Logo Design Element - sounds bars in orange

The Problem

Streaming music for free has replaced purchasing albums. Artists scrape together a range of revenue streams including touring, selling merch, and direct support from fans. One hundred and fifty shows a year for touring artists isn’t  uncommon – and with the high cost of travel, artists can actually lose money on tour.

Artists regularly see their music shared without compensation. Existing law shields tech companies from responsibility. Payment rates from digital platforms like Spotify, YouTube, and others are far too low.

Hidden ticket fees and predatory resellers are hurting artists, fans, and independent venues. Ticket companies are adding high fees on top of concert tickets while predatory resellers buy up the best inventory to resell for profit. And some venues take high merch cuts – money that fans want go to artists to help with the high cost of touring.  
Silhouette of a woman playing piano on stage

Average payment rates per stream on digital platforms:

YouTube Music
$ 0
Spotify
$ 0
Apple Music
$ 0

Why I signed the pledge

Here are some highlights from Fan Alliance members.

Tap quote to close.

What fans are saying...

Kelechi OnyebuchiiDenver, Colorado
"I believe in the cultural connective importance of music. As the industry changes, I want to be a part of a positive path forward."
Barb BasajRockford, Illinois
"I want there to be fairness in the music industry for the sake of both the musicians and listeners."
Chris NielsenClearfield, Utah
"Music saved my life and artists and musicians deserve better."
Anne HainesBloomington, Indiana
"I don't know where I'd be without music & the people who make it!"
John GelferHamden, Connecticut
"I need music in my life. Musicians have to make a living or else we won't have music!"
Kirsten GriffithSouth Portland, Maine
"Music is an essential part of my every day and I want its creators to be compensated, represented, and supported in their work."
Amanda ZellmerSaint Paul, Minnesota
"Music and art are life. It's becoming a forgotten part of life. To save humanity, we must save the arts."
Amy WilsonKansas City, Missouri
"I value musicians and the art they create and want to live in a world where they exist!"
Daniel JacksonNew Orleans, Louisiana
"Music and musicians are wildly important cultural touchstones and MUST continue to exist!"
Yvonne Kaylor-ArnerMartell, Nebraska
"Music is such an important part of my life. I want my kids, grandkids, and now GREAT grandkids to have the same blessing."
John MorrisTakoma Park, Maryland
"My days would be empty without music, and I want those who provide me that solace and entertainment to prosper."
Sara BaierPortland, Oregon
"Musicians make my life better, and I want them to be able to have a good quality of life while they’re making music."
Miranda RogersAustin, Texas
"I love music and art and I want musicians and artists to thriiiiiive!"
Jason StephensBloomer, Wisconsin
"With the rise of AI, we need to support art more than ever."
Susan PauleyRoanoke, Virginia
"Music means so much to me. Many of my most unforgettable experiences were in live music venues. It gets me through and brings joy."
Shane RhyneKnoxville, Tennessee
"A nation needs a strong and vibrant arts culture in order to grow and thrive."
Julie McDougallJanesville, Wisconsin
"I want live music to be shared by fans of all means while sustainably supporting musicians, production crews, and independent venues."

Join the alliance - it's easy!

There’s no cost to join. We are a volunteer group whose goal is to support music creators.  All you have to do is sign the Fan Alliance Pledge and take action to support artists. We’ll send periodic emails to share news about the issues and suggest actions fans can take.  

P.S. Anyone who is a fan can join: Every artist, producer, manager, or music worker is also a fan. 

crowd at concert summer music festival

The Fan Alliance Pledge

Fan Alliance exists to support music creators. We all need music and musicians need a decent livelihood to create the music.

  • I’m a music fan and support the future of music.
  • I believe music is an essential element of a fair, just and decent society. It inspires, educates, and connects us to each other.
  • I support fair pay for all music creators.
  • I support fair compensation, transparency, and accountability for artists from online platforms.
  • I support the rights of artists to control and receive compensation for the use of their work.
  • I support efforts to ensure that live music is a fan friendly concert experience free from predatory ticket selling practices.

Share with your friends and networks!

After signing the FA pledge, you will receive periodic emails with updates on the issues and campaigns.  We will not sell or distribute your email to any third party at any time. View our Privacy Policy.

If you encounter any issues with the form email us at info@thefanalliance.org

Share the pledge with your friends and networks!

Child in a concert crowd in front of bright stage lights on a music festival
Music is life itself.
Louis Armstrong

What artists are saying...

Rissi Palmer
Rissi PalmerArtist, Color Me Country Host
"We couldn't create our music if it weren't for the fans. We need the Fan Alliance more than ever."
Tank and the Bangas
Tank and the BangasArtist
"I love how diverse our fans in Bangaville are, there's always a very mature person coming up to us saying they are our oldest fans, and we always feel the love from everyone while we're on stage. That connection and inspiration is what keeps us going. We are grateful for Fan Alliance and the way they support both artists and fans."
Abby Bryant
Abby BryantArtist
"We artists would never be able to live as our truest selves and do the good we are meant to do in the world without our fans!"
Rhiannon Giddens
Rhiannon GiddensArtist
"Spread the word. Change starts with us."
Carissa StoltingArtist Manager
"Artists restore my hope for the possibility of a more loving, compassionate, and peaceful world. I need that hope desperately."
Marc Ribot
Marc RibotArtist
"We need to organize, and the Fan Alliance gives fans a chance to support and participate in indie musicians’ own organizing in ways that will really count.”
Mark ErelliArtist
“I've been a musician for a long time, but I've been a music fan for even longer. Together we can push back in the name of fairness & creativity. Sign up today.
Leyla McCalla
Leyla McCallaArtist
"Fans have the power to unite and demand a better ecosystem for musicians."
Diana JonesArtist
“I am a way back music lover and maker and many times songs and fans have saved me."
Andy BernsteinFounder, Headcount
"Music keeps me sane.”
Jean Rohe
Jean RoheArtist
"I am an artist myself! And I know that my life wouldn't be as bright without music creators."
Jen JacobsonExecutive Director, Artists Rights Alliance
"Music makes the world go round! We need to support the people who make the music, so that our world doesn't stop spinning!
Wave Chapelle
Wave ChapelleArtist
"Fans are the life force to an artist’s career. Without the fans there is nothing, so it’s important for us as artists to create a community and connection with the fans as best as possible."
Phillip Golub
Phillip GolubArtist
Music and art are the lifeblood of society. When musicians and artists suffer, music and art suffer.
Kaia Kater
Kaia KaterArtist
"I believe in the importance of music and art for our mental health and well-being. I think artists should be paid fair wages for their work."
Peter Mulvey
Peter MulveyArtist
“Because what arises when an artist, art, and an audience come together is precious, and worth supporting!”
NilexNile
NilexNileArtist
Fan support matters to me a lot because getting direct feedback directly from a support system allows room for growth and other creative opportunities.
Moira Smiley
Moira SmileyArtist, composer
“When enough music makers & lovers join it, I know that Fan Alliance will be the effective musician-creator advocacy hub we desperately need."
Sam Buckingham
Sam BuckinghamArtist
"I really believe in the power of people working together to make positive change. Check out Fan Alliance and join."
Gretchen Peters
Gretchen PetersArtist
"As the system concentrates wealth more and more at the top (by design!), we need to be addressing these changes - all of us. "
Laura Cortese
Laura CorteseArtist
“As a musician myself I am also a fan."
Nathaniel Marro
Nathaniel MarroExecutive Director, NITO
"Artists know their audience is essential to their careers. By organizing these fans around the bigger issues, The Fan Alliance is creating a force fighting on artists behalf and fighting for a more sustainable industry."
Kevin EricksonDirector, Future of Music Coalition
"Musicians and fans ultimately want the same things: a music business and public policy environment that treats everyone with fairness and respect, and that allows for sustainable music scenes that allow diverse creative voices to flourish. Fan Alliance is working to make that a reality."
Jennifer Roe
Jennifer RoeExecutive Director, Folk Alliance Internatinal
"As the leader of an organization that exists to serve artists, I know how crucial fans are to the music ecosystem. Fan Alliance is giving fans a way to turn their love for music into action by supporting fair policies, protecting venues, and ensuring artists can thrive. This kind of advocacy is exactly what our industry needs."
Ron Gubitz
Ron GubitzMusic Artists Coalition
"What I respect about the Fan Alliance is they understand that the artist-fan bond is music's beating heart – and they're not asking fans to just buy more merch, they're asking them to engage in the policy fights that actually protect artists' ability to keep creating. That's how you preserve music that matters."
Rain Essex
Rain EssexArtist
"Fan support how we build community. Music becomes a safe space, not just for expression, but for connection. Our biggest fans don’t just listen, they help shape the culture. They become part of the music industry itself, the glue that holds it all together."
Kam Franklin
Kam FranklinArtist, activist, writer
"Without music fans, there is no music industry. As the industry evolves, we're constantly adapting and finding new ways to connect with fans and survive in this landscape. But without real protections there’s only so much we can do. Artists and fans both deserve better. And it starts with standing together."
Rosanne Cash
Rosanne CashArtist
"As musicians, we treasure our relationship with fans. The Fan Alliance recognizes this essential connection and gives guidance to fans who want to support and sustain their favorite artists."
Cat Henry
Cat HenryLive Music Society
"It's like Moveon.org for music fans."
Lera Lynn
Lera LynnArtist
"Fan Alliance is just what we need to help create a movement of artists and fans fighting together to create a music industry that works for artists and fans."
Allison Russell
Allison RussellArtist
"Fan Alliance is building a grassroots movement of fans to let Congress know that they want artists to be paid for the use of their music. Check out the Fan Alliance webpage and join us in the fight for artist rights."
"My connection to fans is the reason I make music. That bond means everything. Fan Alliance is doing vital work—helping fans understand how the music industry really works and how they can better support the artists they love."
BigFreedia
Big Freedia, Musician

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