What value does the music industry add to artist's work...?

[ProgressiveEconomist]

23. Managers A&R and investors

IMO still are necessary for big success in music.

Managers add value to new bands and artists' work by booking them into well-known clubs and other venues where they get feedback on their work, experience [erforming before sophisticated audiences and amass a hard core of devoted fans. Some managers have strong track records of their own that new artists can build on; they are gatekeepers who parlay their own reputations into opportunities new bands could not get on their own.

When a new band or artist is ready for the recording studio, experienced managers can help shape albums for market niches they know will buy them.

A&R men serve as gatekeepers for record companies, which have capital to invest in promotion and distribution for albums. Ask any band what is holding them back from wider success after years of hard work and they're very likely to tell you they're not getting the promotion they need.

Technology is changing, but IMO no matter how much raw talent bands or artists have, they still need management, A&R men, and costly promotion to get paid adeauately for their work. There are plenty of exploitative managers and labels still out there, but bands and artists don't necessarily have to sign with the first charlatan to approach them. Thwey can get legal advice before signing anything and hold out for managers and labels with good reputations.