High demand, short supply: the future of artist management

As the music industry changes, so does the role of the artist manager. Today’s managers wear many hats—balancing creative, strategic, legal, financial, and operational tasks to support their artists. However, the traditional commission-based business model often fails to match the scale of these responsibilities, making it harder for managers to sustain their careers. This growing disconnect between workload and compensation has led to a shortage of skilled managers, leaving many artists without the support they need to succeed. With demand for qualified managers outpacing supply, the future of artist management—and the sustainability of artists' careers—is at risk. In this panel, a group of experienced industry professionals will discuss how the current business model is impacting the quality of management, and whether alternative compensation structures could provide a solution. What changes are needed to ensure managers can continue to offer the high level of support that today’s artists require? And if alternatives exist, what might they look like?