Phoebe Bridgers defends social music discovery: “So what if someone found music on TikTok?”
“I think that hating it, hating TikTok and social media is like classist.”
Photo: Rich Fury / Getty Images
Phoebe Bridgers has opined on the growing popularity of social music discovery, calling those who hate on social media platforms – and particularly TikTok – “classist”.
The 26-year-old musician offered her thoughts during a conversation with Beabadoobee, in the latest instalment of Consequence Of Sound’s Annual Report.
“I have never thought of [social media] as a replacement for fan interaction, but I think that hating it, hating TikTok and social media is like classist,” Bridgers said. “It’s just how kids connect to music.”
She added: “It’s like, so what if someone found music on TikTok? It’s accessible and it’s a community of people showing each other something.”
Bridgers also heaped praise on social music platforms for their ability to transcend borders. “You don’t have to be in the New York music scene listening to a noise rock band in a basement to know a band,” she shared.
“I feel like the Internet is kind of an equalizer; someone can go viral on fucking Bandcamp,” Bridgers said. “You don’t even really necessarily have to be on streaming, especially in a time where you can’t play shows.”
Watch the full conversation between Phoebe Bridgers and Beabadoobee below:
TikTok’s vast popularity has not only driven the rise of new stars such as Beabadoobee, but also the discovery of classic bands by a generation of young listeners. In October, a viral TikTok video sent Fleetwood Mac’s 1980 album Rumours back to the top 10 of the Billboard 200.
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