The Future of Music Curation: The Rise of Smart Curation

In his article, "✘ The Future of Music Curation: Two Divergent Paths", Maarten Walraven discusses the impact of algorithms on music curation. He highlights the contrast between automated curation for the masses and community-based curation in a trusted network.

In my opinion, the future of music curation will involve a combination of both approaches, especially when curating large festivals (as discussed in my article in January 2021, "The Smart Curation is to be Invented"). For a small niche festival, community-based curation is likely to work best. On the other hand, for a mainstream festival that targets a broader audience, algorithms can help curate the artists who are most likely to sell tickets.

As a festival curator, I rely on a combination of business expertise, music taste, and data-driven methods to make informed decisions. I gather both quantitative data from streaming platforms and qualitative data from sources such as blogs, DJs, and industry experts.

In addition, I incorporate a collaborative element that allows my communities to contribute their favorite artists and provide feedback. This process used in my tool Bookr.fm provides me with more comprehensive recommendations that I can master and understand, resulting in a more personalized and engaging festival experience.

In summary, I believe that the future of music curation is all about Smart Curation, which leverages the strengths of both automated algorithms and community-based curation to create a personalized and comprehensive curation experience.

If you're interested in learning more about how Bookr.fm can help with the curation process for your festival, don't hesitate to reach out. Simply send an email to support@musicdata.studio to request a demo and see the platform in action.