Music industries and ecology in the age of the Capitalocene

The music industries, and the wider cultural sector, are embedded within the dominant model of globalized, growth-oriented capitalism, and contribute to its associated socio-environmental upheavals. This article seeks to advance understanding of the ecological issues of music and how they reflect the challenges facing wider society. The research is based on an empirical study of the French music sector using a mixed methods approach (database of ecological initiatives, in-depth interviews with professionals, in situ observation, etc.). Findings suggest that the music industries are witnessing a proliferation of eco-conscious initiatives, most of which fall within shallow ecology. This trend is closely linked to the economic logic of the competitive star system, which constitutes an unsustainable model. Finally, a small number of professionals engage in deep ecology practices. While such post-growth initiatives offer new perspectives, they remain isolated and have not yet brought about a systemic paradigm shift within the music industries.