Over 60% of emerging producers and DJs feel “the electronic music industry is a closed club”, with social media presence prevailing over skill

A new study has revealed that a large number of emerging producers and DJs feel that the electronic music industry is a “closed club”.

The study, which was carried out by the Pete Tong DJ Academy and shared during a talk from CEO Alex Tripi at the International Music Summit (IMS), collected responses from 15,000 DJs and producers who use the academy.

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The results land as concerns continue to grow among budding artists surrounding accessibility to the industry, with many feeling that social media success, financial privilege, and industry connections make climbing to the top much easier.

As per Mixmag, the findings uncovered that 61 per cent of up and coming DJs and producers believe that “social media numbers matter more than musical skill” when it comes to progression, and 52 per cent also said they had experienced anxiety or burnout. 31 per cent revealed they had thought about quitting music entirely over the last year.

However, 35 per cent of respondents had a more positive outlook on their chances of breaking into the industry, believing that “if you persist and have resilience, it will happen”.

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In other news on music education and accessibility, London’s pointblank Music School has opened a new 19,000 square-foot Shoreditch campus, hosting 13 studios catering to DJing, production, and engineering.

The school’s CEO and founder, Rob Cowan, says of the new space, “Our new Shoreditch campus is more than just a school, it’s a creative hub designed to inspire the next generation of music professionals. With cutting-edge technology, immersive learning spaces, and a strong focus on hands-on experience, our students are in the best possible environment to launch their careers in music.”

Find out more about the Pete Tong DJ Academy, or check out the full schedule for the 2025 International Music Summit.

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