Once a signifier of luxury or novelty, custom products and services are now within reach of the everyday consumer, thanks to the rise of artificial intelligence, algorithm-led platforms, and the COVID-era digitisation boom. Today, everyone wants to be the main character of their brand experience.

Amid a golden era for independent radio, Do!!You!!! has attracted a community of dedicated listeners by providing an engaging alternative to commercial broadcasting. But how does the platform provide its audience with a sense of community and belonging? And what does this mean for music fandom?

Bopdrop is an app that enables social music sharing through integration with Spotify and Apple Music, where users post one song per day. The platform appeals to Gen Zers who are seeking more human ways to find music, share music, and build their identities as music fans.

Specialty outlets in Japan are seeing boosts in sales driven by an interest in cassettes. This boom is being driven by nostalgic Gen Zers, who appreciate both the mindful act of listening to a physical piece of music and the quality of ‘organic’ sounds, in contrast to digitally edited tracks.

Throughout the pandemic, many Britons turned to radio for a sense of comfort and security. Yet while the likes of BBC Radio 2 and Capital FM may play popular music, they’re not popular among all listeners. How are independent stations gaining ground with audiences outside of the mainstream?