How Do We Save Our Music Scenes? Meet Sound Diplomacy’s Shain Shapiro

What makes a great music city? How do governments, venues, and fans keep local music scenes alive? And why is music still not treated as an essential part of a city’s economy? In this episode of the Drowned in Sound Podcast, Sean Adams speaks with Shain Shapiro, founder of Sound Diplomacy and a leading advocate for integrating music into urban policy. Shain has advised cities and governments worldwide on how to invest in music, build better infrastructure, and ensure that artists and venues don’t just survive but thrive. The future of music scenes isn’t just about artists - it’s about infrastructure, investment, and policy. Without real change, we risk losing the cultural spaces that make music thrive. Topics Covered: The future of music cities: Why local scenes are vital and how they can be protected Music as an economic and public good: Why governments should treat music like any other essential sector Emerging music markets: Where the global music hotspots of the future might be Live Nation: How monopolies shape local music ecosystems The importance of local media and community spaces in sustaining music scenes How cities can future-proof music amid climate, economic, and technological shifts Shain Shapiro explains: “We don’t make data-driven decisions about music the way we do about transit, healthcare, or housing, yet music is an essential part of a city’s fabric.” Episode Highlights & Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction: Can We Save Our Music Scenes? 01:04 – The Future of Music: What Will 2050 Sound Like? 02:33 – The Big Challenges Facing the Music Industry 04:44 – Music as an Economic & Public Good: Why Governments Should Care 09:11 – Shain’s Journey: From Record Shops to Global Music Policy 14:08 – Music Cities: How Governments Can Invest in Local Scenes 19:51 – Global Music Growth: Why Africa & Southeast Asia Are the Future 28:25 – Community & Local Government’s Role in Music Sustainability 35:50 – The Live Nation Monopoly, Local Media, & How Cities Can Push Back 40:00 – Final Thoughts: What Needs to Change & What Fans Can Do Further Reading & Resources: Sound Diplomacy – Leading global consultancy on music and city planning Making Places Better Newsletter – Shain Shapiro’s insights on improving urban spaces through music and culture Music Venue Trust – Protecting grassroots venues Cardiff Music Strategy – A model for city-led music investment Fonds de la Musique Canada – Canada’s funding model for music exports Live DMA – European network for live music venues Join the discussion on the Drowned in Sound Community, message me on Bluesky, or email me at [email protected]. Get More Music Insights – Subscribe to the Drowned in Sound Newsletter for deep dives into the future of music. About the Host: Sean Adams is the founder of Drowned in Sound, established in 2000 as a pioneering music webzine. Beyond his editorial work, Sean manages artists such as Charlotte Church and The Anchoress, operates the DiS independent record label, and contributes to strategic communications for music initiatives like Music Venue Trust. His passion lies in championing diverse music scenes and supporting artists across genres. About the Guest: Shain Shapiro, PhD is the founder and executive chairman of Sound Diplomacy, the leading global consultancy on music and city planning. He also serves as the executive director of the not-for-profit Center for Music Ecosystems. Shain has authored This Must Be The Place: How Music Can Make Your City Better, exploring the intersection of music and urban development. His work has influenced over 130 cities worldwide to invest in music and culture, redefining the value of music in urban settings.