In a recent interview with NME, Sam Fender described the music industry as being "rigged", with "90 per cent kids who are privately educated". Fender himself has defied the odds, becoming a highly celebrated artist despite his working class background in North Shields. Yet, he acknowledges the immense barriers facing aspiring artists who aren’t born into wealth. "A kid from where I’m from can’t afford to tour, so there are probably thousands writing songs that are ten times better than mine, poignant lyrics about the country, but they will not be seen because it’s rigged," he said.
It's true that touring is becoming increasingly difficult for small musicians to make a profit from. A 2024 survey of 1,700 artists by Pirate Studios revealed that 54% have reported no change in gig fees, while 29% reported a decrease. Rising touring costs due to Brexit and the war in Ukraine are making it even more difficult to return from touring without having made a loss.
But it's not just the price of touring that's affecting musicians. Equipment is becoming less and less affordable. According to Breakthrough Guitar, the average price of guitars has increased by approximately 15-20% since 2017, while inflation has increased by only 8%, and a 2022 Guardian article reported that 91% of musicians say they are unable to afford music equipment and 90% are worried about affording food with their current income.
For many artists, the dream of making a living from music is slipping further out of reach. Help Musicians found that in 2023 44% of musicians cited the lack of sustainable income as a barrier to their careers. They also reported in 2025 that 43% of musicians earn less than £14,000 annually from music. Without financial stability, it’s nearly impossible to dedicate the time and resources needed to develop as an artist. As a result, many talented musicians are forced to give up, while those with the means to fund their careers – often from privileged backgrounds – continue to dominate the industry.
With these rising costs, it’s no surprise that music is becoming a rich man’s game. When only those with financial backing can afford to tour, buy equipment, and sustain a career long enough to be noticed, the industry loses voices from diverse backgrounds. While talent and hard work still play a role, financial privilege often determines who gets a platform and who remains unheard.
At Decent Music PR, we want an environment where the same opportunities are available for all musicians, regardless of wealth or background. However, it is also important for musicians to carry on creating during difficult times.
A few tips if you're struggling:
Campaign while creating: appeal for change in the music industry, but don't wait for it to happen before creating your art. Make sure that nothing gets in the way of your music, not even unfairness in the industry.
Seek funding: entities such as PRS Foundation and Help Musicians regularly offer support for musicians. Usually, they want to see that you've been working as a musician for some time, so it's best to start releasing and playing live first. They also only support artists who write their own music.
Use what you have: inability to upgrade your equipment due to rising costs can often feel like a road block as a musician. Try to make the most of what you already have and understand that it's you who makes the music, not the equipment. Take a DIY approach where necessary.
If the music industry wants to foster genuine diversity and fresh talent, structural changes are needed. Increased funding for working class artists, fairer gig fees, and support for independent musicians could help level the playing field. Until then, as Fender suggests, many of the most important songs of our generation may never be heard.
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