5 Ways You Can Support Your Favorite Local Artists

It can be tough life for starving artists, here's how you can support your favorites!

Mowgli, lead singer of Utah band, Guava Tree, smiles as he plays guitar and sings. — Guava Tree at SokHop Photo by Merrick Webb

Stream and Share Music

A screenshot of a playlist featuring local Cedar City musicians. — "Cedar City Slaps" playlist

One of the best ways to support your favorite small artists is to simply listen to any music that they've released!

Adding their songs to playlists with similar vibes, downloading them to your library, and even just listening to these songs are great helps to small artists. All of these actions help you tell your streaming platform pick up what you're putting down.

This "Cedar City Slaps" playlist is a great starting point to get into some more

Pre-Save New Songs

A screenshot of different pre-save pages and links. — AmplifyYou article about the benefits of pre-saving

Small artists don't just ask you to pre-save their new music for kicks and giggles. Pre-saving new songs tells the streaming platforms that you're excited for this next release and can give the song a better chance to end up on Spotify's editorial playlists and release radar.

Editorial playlists and the release radar are great ways to get an artist's song out to more ears and it starts with pre-saves.

Show Up to Shows and Spread the Word

An audience member jumps around and dances at a Sok Hop concert in Cedar City. — Jumping at SokHop Photo by Merrick Webb

Live music is the heart of the music industry and showing up to shows is what keeps that heart beating. Coming to shows is not only a fun way for you and your friends to get involved in your local scene, it's also one of the best ways to support the scene!

Spreading the word about shows, even if you can't make it, can also be a huge help for small musicians and bands. More people means more ears and more fun.

Buy Merch

Grace Parke shows off a Grace Parke: Let You Down hoodie. — Grace Parke modeling some merch Photo courtesy of Grace Parke

If you've got the extra funds, buying merch can make a direct financial impact on musicians. Many of whom rely on merch sales as part of their income.

Merch not only makes you look super cool, it also gives you a chance to talk about your favorite artists to new people.

Talk to Them!

Audience members chatting in the crowd at a SokHop Live concert — Chatting at SokHop Photo by Merrick Webb

If you like someone's music, tell them!

Being an artist can be emotionally draining sometimes. Giving them words of encouragement can make a world of difference. And it might even give you a chance to build a friendship with them too!

Did we miss any ways to support local artists? Let us know in the comments. See you on Tuesday!