Methodology: Mapping Music Ecosystems
LMMP utilizes a novel methodological approach to map live music ecosystems
This process is data-driven, combining qualitative and quantitative research to produce detailed analyses of the music scene in each city/region.
Here’s how it works:
Web scraping: Thoroughgoing web searching of local listings and beyond (e.g. ticketing sites, social media) to identify active venues across the spectrum of activity in a local music ecosystem.
Surveys and Interviews: The project deploys surveys targeting different stakeholders—musicians, audiences, venue owners, promoters, and policymakers. These surveys are designed to capture the nuances of the live music scene in each city, from the logistical challenges of running a venue to the experiences of local performers.
Workshops and Panels: To further explore the data gathered, the LMMP organizes workshops and panel sessions with key stakeholders. These collaborative discussions provide additional insight into the challenges and opportunities within each live music ecosystem.
Data Analysis: The LMMP then integrates the collected data into comprehensive analyses that are shared with policymakers, stakeholders, and the general public. The data is visualized through Geospatial Information Systems (GIS) mapping techniques, creating a digital map of the live music scene in each city. This allows for visual comparisons and an in-depth understanding of how music venues, businesses, and audiences are interconnected.
The ability to map these ecosystems is crucial for policymakers and industry representatives who must navigate the delicate balance between commercial and civic interests. The LMMP’s methods provide policymakers with credible data, enabling them to make informed decisions that support both the music industry and the wider urban economy, and lobbying industry, with solid, reliable and replicable evidence to support their arguments. Sharing a methodological approach allows for meaningful comparisons between cities, regions and nations – highlighting points of overlap and distinctiveness in the live music ecologies of different urban and rural locations.
Understanding Live Music as an Urban Ecosystem
At the heart of LMMP’s work is the idea of live music as an “ecosystem”—a dynamic, interconnected system that includes not only musicians and venues but also policymakers, audiences, and businesses. Live music, in this context, isn’t just about entertainment. It’s a complex web of social, economic, and cultural forces that play out on urban stages every day.
Music brings economic and cultural capital to cities, but its full value is often underappreciated or misunderstood. According to the European Commission (EC, 2006) and the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), music contributes significantly to local economies, creating jobs, driving tourism, and increasing foot traffic in city centres. Music is also a powerful tool to understand and create a better night-time economy.
Yet, despite its value, there remains a lack of comprehensive data on its impact, making it difficult for policymakers and businesses to craft informed strategies. This gap in knowledge is what the LMMP seeks to address, by mapping music ecosystems. The LMMP aims to measure not just the direct economic benefits of live music—ticket sales, job creation, or venue revenue—but also the broader social and cultural contributions it music makes to urban life.
Live Music and Policy: Improving Decision-Making
A key goal of the LMMP is to establish transferable best practices that can be applied across cities and regions. By identifying patterns in the challenges and opportunities faced by different cities, the LMMP aims to identify a set of guidelines that can inform policy decisions in diverse urban environments.
For example, the LMMP’s research might reveal that successful cities have implemented flexible licensing policies that allow venues to operate without excessive bureaucratic hurdles, while still addressing public safety concerns. These findings could then be shared with other cities facing similar challenges, providing them with actionable insights.