Untitled Group Backs Youth Music Study

Via The Music Network

Untitled Group is supporting Listening In, a landmark national study exploring how young Australians engage with music.

Led by Music Australia and Creative Australia, with input from The Daily Aus and The Push, the three-part series examines how young people discover, consume, and attend live music, and how visible local artists are in that journey.

“It’s essential that the voices of young Australians are reflected in conversations about the future of our music industry,” said Untitled Group cofounder and managing partner Michael Christidis.

“Through our platforms and fan network, we were able to help ensure that this research reached the people shaping the next era of music culture. The findings confirm that live music holds real value for young people, and that access, discovery and representation matter. We’re proud to have contributed to this important body of work.”

Here are some key takeaways across the three reports:

Part One: Live Music Attendance

Released in March 2025, the first report examines behaviours and barriers around live events.

• 92% of music-engaged respondents said live music has a big or very big impact on their wellbeing
• 72% said it helps them cope with stress, anxiety or depression
• Cost was the leading barrier to attendance, cited by 94%
• Major venues dominate attendance, despite equal interest in local and international acts
• 51% wanted to see more Aussie acts but didn’t know where to find them

Part Two: Music Discovery and Engagement

Dropped June 12, this edition looks at how audiences find and connect with music.

• 98% use streaming services to discover music; 66% discover via social media
• International artists dominate discovery, despite 71% saying they feel pride hearing Australian music
• Just 33% actively seek out local artists
• FOMO and online trends drive attendance among younger listeners
• Visibility and algorithmic bias remain key barriers for Australian acts

Part Three: Summary and Consumption Insights

The final report ties together trends across listening, discovery and live.

• 66% want to listen to more Australian music
• Just 8% of the top 10,000 streamed artists in Australia in 2024 were local
• Despite economic pressures, young audiences are willing to spend on music they care about
• 42% said they’d pay for a dedicated Aussie music streaming service
• Cultural value remains high, but structural challenges persist in giving local artists visibility on global platforms

Read the full Listening In series via Creative Australia.