A new documentary, Add Friend – How Social Media Changed Music Forever, is to air on Absolute Radio next Sunday.
Social media has launched (and re-launched) the careers of some big name artists and has influenced how people connect with their favourite acts and listen to their music.
From MySpace to Facebook, Twitter to Tik Tok, social media has changed the face of the music industry – but for the better, or worse?
Presented by Ben Burrell, the programme is part of the Absolute Radio Stories series. It features Sam Fender, Ed Sheeran, Dave Grohl, Tim Burgess, Russell Crowe, Liam Gallagher, Noel Gallagher, Lewis Capaldi, Michael Stipe, Billy Corgan, Juliette Lewis, Sandi Thom, Charlie XCX, Sam Ryder, James Blunt, Bring Me The Horizon, The Black Keys, The Courteeners, Rick Astley.
Among topics covered are Tim Burgess’ success with Tim’s Twitter Listening Party during lockdown and beyond, the musical resurrection of Rick Astley via YouTube and Rick-rolling, how a Twitter campaign got Weezer to cover Toto’s Africa and land a number 1 hit in the US, the emergence of TikTok successes like sea shanties and Sam Ryder, and more.
You can hear Add Friend – How Social Media Changed Music Forever next Sunday, 1st September at 8pm on Absolute Radio (then on the Rayo app for 30 days).