How to support your local music scene

Whether you’re a newcomer to music or just searching for more to do, this is how you can make local music thrive. 

By Micheal Doyle

In stressful times for many people, music continues to bring us together as a community. With the summer months hosting dozens of shows, now is the perfect opportunity to join a scene held together by inclusiveness, passion and support. 

Tacoma has a thriving music scene, featuring a multitude of genres playing in a variety of venues. Whether at a bar or a skatepark, local artists can be found playing throughout the city on any given night. 

The easiest and most fun way to support the music scene is attending local shows. Nearly every single artist is on Instagram promoting their upcoming shows, with many of them costing less than $15 to see a variety of artists. Additionally, accounts like @seattleareapunkshows post dozens of flyers a week of local rock bands performing in Pierce and King County. 

Another great resource is Freakscene, a website where fans and local musicians can find each other, promote shows and chat about music. The website includes the Seattle scene and all of Western Washington. 

For artists playing at businesses, venues take a cut of the money before distributing it amongst the artists performing. While a part of your money goes to the artists themselves, buying merchandise from the artist gives 100% of the money to them. This allows the artist to continue funding their merch and keep creating music, all while giving you a unique souvenir. 

DIY shows are also common throughout Tacoma, typically held at a house or public area and are organized by the musicians themselves. These shows are often the most intimate between musicians and fans and may feature NOTAFLOF, meaning “no one turned away for lack of funds.” This offers those who are financially unstable or unsure an opportunity to be included. The best way to find these shows is directly from the artists’ posts on Instagram. 

Connecting with artists and venues online is a great way to help artists expand their audience. While it is no secret that Spotify doesn’t pay artists very much, more established artists often have music on streaming platforms. Following them and listening is an easy and accessible way to support your favorite local bands. You’ll also be able to stay up to date on shows, releases and announcements. 

Local shows are excellent ways to meet like-minded people who share similar interests. The scene is built on community and many people are more than happy to talk and connect. While each artist may bring out a specific audience, each fresh combination of artists performing draws a unique audience of fresh faces for you to meet. 

In addition, many artists perform benefit shows donating funds toward a cause you may want to support. While donations to these causes can likely be done online, these shows offer the opportunity to listen to local artists and be surrounded by people who support the same causes as you. 

Lastly, supporting DIY venues is an important way to keep the music scene alive and give a platform to artists who may be unable to perform at other venues. Real Art Tacoma is an all-ages DIY venue, funded and supported by musicians and volunteers. By supporting all-age and DIY venues, music can remain accessible for all people in a time where ticket prices for bigger artists continue to rise and many venues are for people above 21. 

This summer when you’re sitting around with nothing to do, consider going outside and listening to an artist you’re unfamiliar with. You just might find your new favorite band or make some new friends.