The algorithms of global music streaming services like Spotify, YouTube, Amazon and Apple are killing Australian music, according to a new report by a former Spotify executive.

As Australians celebrate the nation’s extraordinary artists to mark AusMusic T-Shirt Day today, the report reveals that the number of artists featured on music streaming giants has fallen by 20% in recent years.

It also found that while Australia’s recording industry revenue has increased significantly since 2021, much less of that money is going to the Australian artists who create the music.

The report was compiled by former Spotify chief economist Will Page and features a foreword by former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, who says music is essential to Australia’s national character and deserves investment in the same way we invest in defence or technology.

Key findings:

• Between 2021 and 2024:The number of Australia artists streamed in Australia declined by 20%.
• The number of times an Australian band was streamed in Australia declined by 30%.
• Revenue from Australian music increased 25% but the share going to local artists shrunk by 30%.

“The algorithms of streaming services might recognise language, but they ignore geography, which means local music is not typically recommended to Australian audiences,” said former Spotify and PRS Music Chief Economist Will Page.

“If Australians are to enjoy a vibrant domestic music culture greater investment in new, local artists is needed.”

“Australia’s musicians have never lacked talent, only opportunity. Yet in the age of streaming, where the algorithm replaces the DJ, our cultural voice risks being drowned out,” said Malcolm Turnbull, former Prime Minister of Australia.

“Just as we invest in technology, energy, and defence, we must invest in culture — because identity is the foundation of confidence.

“The streaming age does not have to erase national character; it can amplify it, and it should.”

“Confidence breeds confidence in economics, but when a problem in the market is causing a decline at an exponentially faster rate, it cannot be ignored,” said Maggie Collins, Executive Director of the Association of Artists Managers.

“There is a lot to be confident about when it comes to Australian music, which recent revenue and export data demonstrates. This proves that it’s not a quality problem and makes the domestic streaming decline even more striking.

“The numbers in this report reveal a clear market distortion, yet despite this disadvantage, Australian artists have proven yet again that when a door is closed, they will find a way in through the window. This approach, however, is expensive, resource-heavy, and for some Australian artists, is simply out of reach.

“People say Australia suffers from the tyranny of distance, but for decades this actually allowed so many excellent, unique artists to find a national audience,” said Morgan Harrington, Research Director at The Australia Institute.

“But streaming means Australian’s are permanently plugged into the rest of the world.

“If we want bands we can be proud of in the future we have to create policies that give them a chance now.”

The full report is attached below.