How are Dutch pop artists doing today? The Dutch pop music sector is vibrant and diverse, but for many artists, life as a musician is accompanied by uncertainty. This is the outcome of the recently published BAM! Artists Monitor, conducted by the Rotterdam Popular Music Studies research group (Erasmus University Rotterdam) in collaboration with BAM! Popauteurs.
Researchers Yosha Wijngaarden, Thomas Calkins, Pauwke Berkers and Dyland Thompson from Erasmus School of History, Culture and Communication concluded that a large proportion of Dutch pop artists are financially vulnerable, experience structural uncertainty and live with the stress that AI will make their work redundant.
Financial instability
Musicians are on average 40 years old and have been active in their primary role as musicians for around 14.5 years. More than two-thirds work more than 28 hours per week, but financial stability is not a given. Almost half (49 per cent) of musicians earn less than €5,000 net per year from music.
Mental health
Another major problem is the mental health of artists. No less than 79 per cent suffer from mental health issues such as anxiety and/or depression, compared to 42 per cent of the general Dutch working population. Financial worries, unpredictability in the sector and negative pressure from social media are the main causes of stress. Bullying and physical violence are rare, although women in particular often have to deal with unwanted sexual attention.
Generative AI: opportunity and concern
Artificial Intelligence (AI) plays a major role in the uncertainty felt by artists. Although it also presents opportunities (41 per cent of musicians use AI for songwriting, production, social media or practice), 62 per cent are concerned that AI could make their work (partly) redundant, raising new ethical and social questions.
First systematic survey
The Artist Monitor 2025 is the first systematic survey to map out how Dutch pop musicians work, what they earn, how they experience their well-being and what role generative AI plays in their careers. The survey includes 314 respondents, including artists, songwriters, producers and session musicians, and was distributed via BAM! Popauteurs and other relevant networks and channels.
- Researcher
- Researcher
- Professor
- Researcher
- More information
The Artists Monitor was presented on 17 January during Eurosonic Noorderslag. Would you like more information and access to the full report and data? Then visit the BAM! Popauteurs website.
- Related content
