Top 10 Tips for New Indie Bands Releasing Music in 2025

Linda Coogan Byrne
5 min readDec 27, 2024

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So, you’ve got some bangers ready to unleash on the world, and you’re dreaming of packed gigs, streaming royalties, and maybe even a cheeky spot on a festival lineup. Let’s land it home to reality though as releasing music isn’t just about slapping it online and crossing your fingers. If you want to cut through the noise (and let’s face it, there’s a lot of it), you need a game plan.

I’ve spent over 22 years navigating the ever-changing music industry as a consultant and publicist across both traditional and digital media. Along the way, I’ve gathered some indispensable tips for indie artists to help them tackle the must-do items on their new music release checklist. Trust me, a little preparation can make all the difference.

Here are a quick top 10 things every new indie band must do when releasing music in 2025. Think of this as your survival guide to get you kickstarted into gear.

1. Start With a Plan (Yes, Like Adults Do)

Before you even think about hitting “release,” take a deep breath and make a plan. Think timelines, budgets, and what you’re actually trying to achieve. Are you gunning for TikTok stardom or dreaming of landing on a coveted Spotify editorial playlist? Do you want to pack out your mate’s garage or aim for a proper venue with actual lights and a sound system? A solid plan will keep you focused and stop you from flailing around like a bassist who forgot the setlist.

2. Social Media: Love It or Hate It, You Need It

Let’s face it: social media isn’t optional anymore. With over 4.9 billion users worldwide in 2025, platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube are where your audience already hangs out. (Yes, as of 2024, there are over 5 billion social media users worldwide, accounting for approximately 62.6% of the global population).

Did you know that 60% of music fans discover new artists online, and 70% follow their favourite bands on social media? Pick one or two platforms that suit your vibe (don’t try to be everywhere at once) and post consistently. Show off your personalities, behind-the-scenes antics, and, of course, your music. And for the love of Bowie, engage with your followers. They’re not just numbers; they’re people who might stream your songs on repeat or proudly rock your merch at gigs.

3. Build a Hype Team

No band is an island. Rally your mates, family, and fans to help spread the word. Get them to share your posts, attend your gigs, and scream your lyrics into the void of the internet. A little community love goes a long way. Bonus: it’s free.

4. Create a Killer Press Release

This is your chance to tell the world why they should care about your music. Keep it concise, compelling, and make sure to include links to your music, photos, and socials. If you can’t write one, hire someone who can. (Hi, I’m someone.)

5. Make Sure Your Music Is Actually Ready

Your mate who “dabbles” in production might be a good lad, but your tracks need to be mixed and mastered professionally. Remember: if it doesn’t sound good, no one’s going to care how deep your lyrics are or how much effort went into recording that tambourine. Sometimes we may feel our dream producer or mixer is out of our reach but actually if you wanted the same producer as Adele for example you can just hire them (if they vibe with your music of course). A really cool site for reaching out to producers and mixers etc can be found here.

6. Leverage Playlists

Playlists are the modern equivalent of radio stations, and they hold the power to make or break your release. Start by submitting your track to indie playlist curators, especially on platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. Don’t just fire off a generic email with a desperate plea — craft a personalised pitch explaining why your song deserves a spot on their list. In the UK, playlists such as Spotify’s “New Music Friday” and Apple Music’s “Today’s Indie” have become essential for reaching wider audiences. Meanwhile, in Ireland and the UK, grassroots momentum often begins with smaller curated playlists and radio slots on influential stations like RTÉ 2FM and BBC 6 Music. Remember, a little charm and a well-targeted pitch can go a long way (but keep the flattery tasteful).

7. Invest in Eye-Catching Artwork

We live in a swipe-right world, my friends. If your album art looks like it was made in Paint circa 2003, people will scroll past faster than you can say “Photoshop.” Hire a designer or trade favours with your artsy mate who owes you one. Make it bold, make it beautiful, make it memorable. Have you also tried Canva pro? Plenty of cool design templates to get the creative flow going.

8. Plan a Memorable Launch Event

Whether it’s a live gig, a listening party, or a livestream, create an event that gets people buzzing. And don’t just stand there awkwardly thanking your mum for showing up. Engage your audience, make them laugh, make them cry, make them feel something. The more fun they have, the more they’ll talk about it. One of my clients John Doherty is a master at engaging his fans, check out this post of a recent impromtu local session he had in his hometown in Donegal for his last single release. This is key.

9. Don’t Forget Music Videos

Don’t underestimate the power of music videos — they’re a visual gateway to your sound. You don’t need to blow your budget on a Hollywood-style production; creativity is the real currency here. Take Wet Leg, who went viral with their quirky, low-budget “Chaise Longue” video, or Sam Fender, whose DIY-style visuals for early tracks helped cement his relatable, everyman image. Even a simple concept can resonate — like Olivia Rodrigo smashing stuff in “good 4 u” or Ashnikko dancing in wild, homemade outfits. The key? Think outside the box — or literally inside one, if it’s quirky enough to catch attention. Whether it’s humour, raw emotion, or something totally unexpected, make your video shareable, and watch your audience do the hard work for you.

10. Be Ready to Hustle (and Be Patient)

Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is a successful indie career. Keep pushing your music even after release day. Pitch it to blogs, submit it to radio stations, and keep playing gigs. Momentum takes time. And when you’re ready to give up, remember why you started. Spoiler: it wasn’t for the money, was it? Don’t lose sight of the original goal, whatever that may be.

Closing Thoughts

Releasing music in 2025 is gonna be a wild ride. It’s equal parts thrilling and terrifying, but with a little strategy (and a lot of energy), you can make it work. Oh, and don’t forget to have fun. Music is supposed to be enjoyable, not a stress-inducing nightmare. Go forth and rock the world — one playlist at a time.

If you find this article helpful and would like to enquire about my services please schedule a call here.

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Linda Coogan Byrne
Linda Coogan Byrne

Written by Linda Coogan Byrne

Music Publicist & Marketing Expert. Activist & Feminist. Media Consultant & Artist Manager. Artist & Culture Writer.

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