Starting August 24, YouTube will count a public view as soon as a video starts playing, from the very first frame. The change applies to long-form videos, Shorts, live streams, and podcasts, replacing the older system in which viewers had to watch longer before a view was counted. It brings YouTube closer to the way platforms like TikTok and Instagram already measure views.

In practice, public view counts are likely to rise, but that increase does not necessarily mean more people are watching; it simply reflects a change in how views are counted. YouTube is keeping the old definition as a separate metric called Engaged Views, which shows when people actually stick around. That is still the figure that counts toward getting paid.

For independent artists, the key thing is knowing which number tells which story. A higher public view count can look great in a pitch deck, press note or media kit, but Engaged Views give a clearer sense of who's really listening. So if your numbers jump, that's the new counting system at work. Read more here.

Spotify has rounded up the stories behind this summer's listening habits, and the pattern is clear: when something big happens in culture, our playlists follow. Football was everywhere, with country anthems spiking during major matches and Shakira crowned the unofficial queen of the tournament.

Latin music kept climbing too, driven by Bad Bunny's European tour and a wave of viral hits. BTS also soundtracked the season with the most-streamed K-pop album in Spotify's history, while screen moments sent fans back to the source, from The Odyssey to the arrival of the Harry Potter audiobooks.

It is a reminder that music travels through moments, whether that's a film, a tour or a wider pop culture conversation. For artists, being timely, tapping into what people are already talking about and releasing with the season in mind can all help your music find new ears. Read more here.

This month's Artist of the Month is Essy Sparrow ✨

Essy Sparrow is a Cornwall-based singer-songwriter making nostalgic, storytelling indie folk pop with a playful edge.

Her track 'Vinyl Spinning' stopped us in our tracks, and we've been happily lost in her other 2026 release, 'Weddings and Funerals', ever since. Expect warm, wistful songwriting, a real eye for detail and hooks that linger long after the song ends. If you love a song that tells a proper story, this one's for you.

Listen to Essy Sparrow on Spotify and follow her journey on Instagram. Let’s celebrate rising talent and support the artists who are shaping the future of independent music! 🎶

BBC Introducing has announced Introducing LIVE, a month-long series of events for emerging artists across 10 UK locations this November. Expect live performances, workshops, panels, open mic sessions and networking, with dates in Belfast, Bridgend, Gateshead, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Manchester, Nottingham and Sunderland.

The announcement comes after the BBC Introducing Stage was axed from Reading & Leeds earlier this year, bringing an 18-year run to an end. Over the years, the stage has given early festival slots to artists like Ed Sheeran and The 1975, while the wider BBC Introducing scheme has helped launch artists such as RAYE, Olivia Dean, Sam Fender and Loyle Carner.

These are exactly the kinds of spaces where independent artists' careers start. Read more about the events here.

At Laid Bare, we love to celebrate the artists who shaped the music world we love. This month, we’re honouring Dolly Parton, the Queen of Country.

Over a seven-decade career, Dolly wrote thousands of songs, sold more than 100 million records, and gave us timeless classics like 'Jolene,' 'I Will Always Love You,' and '9 to 5.' She gave back at every turn, from her Imagination Library sending free books to children, to helping fund vaccine research.

UK fans will forever treasure her spellbinding Legends slot at Glastonbury in 2014, performed to one of the biggest crowds Worthy Farm has ever seen. Tributes have poured in from Paul McCartney, Elton John, Taylor Swift, and many more, while Jack White marked her passing with a rousing live rendition of 'Jolene' in London. Watch some of our favourite Dolly moments here.

Dolly is the ultimate reminder of what independent spirit truly looks like. She started with next to nothing in the Smoky Mountains, backed herself as a songwriter, stayed true to who she was and lifted up everyone around her. For anyone building a life in music, there's no better example of talent, generosity, and staying authentically yourself. Thank you for everything, Dolly. 💛

Sometimes you need time to write, record and recharge, and that's completely fine. The challenge is keeping your momentum when there isn’t a new single to promote.

This month, we shared six ways to stay visible between releases: behind-the-scenes clips, demos, voice notes, day-in-the-life moments, covers, acoustic versions, live clips and small glimpses of what’s coming next.

It’s also a chance to let your personality shine. Reply to comments, share fan messages, run a Q&A and document the journey, from the wins to the setbacks.

Our top tip: hook people in the first couple of seconds, keep captions conversational and don't overthink the polish, because consistency wins every time. You're not inactive between releases; you're building a brand, growing an audience and creating demand for your next drop.

👉 Read the full post on our Instagram here. If any of this resonates with you, get in touch! We'd love to chat about your project 💛

We're thrilled to present Zoe-Blu Shantos live at The Waiting Room in Stoke Newington on Friday 11 September!

She will be joined by support acts Amelie Roden and Guy Amos.

The London singer-songwriter builds delicate, string-laced folk around her ukulele and voice, with intimate storytelling that rewards close listening. It's the kind of show that suits an intimate space beautifully, so this promises to be a special one. Support acts to be announced.

Get your tickets here 🎫 ⭐️