Poll: Do you find new music mostly through algorithms, friends, or live venues?

[Inland Aidan]

How people find new music has changed completely within a generation. Radio, record shops and music magazines used to be the main routes. Now it is mostly streaming algorithms, social media clips and playlists. But word of mouth and live gigs still play a big part for plenty of people

Algorithms are incredibly convenient. Spotify's weekly suggestions can be uncannily good, and TikTok has launched countless songs into the charts. Detractors argue they keep you in a comfortable bubble, recommending more of what you already like rather than anything challenging

Friends tend to introduce you to things you would never have found alone, and a recommendation from someone you trust carries more weight. Live venues, especially support acts at gigs, have always been a great source of surprises. Seeing a band live can turn mild interest into a lifelong favourite

Where does most of your new music come from these days? And has the way you discover music changed over the years?