IndieLights is an innovative project dedicated to promoting the diversity of musical genres that characterize Portuguese independent music available on digital platforms.

A result of a partnership between AMAEI (Association of Independent Musicians, Artists, and Labels) and GDA (Artists’ Rights Management), IndieLights aims to revolutionize how this music is discovered and appreciated worldwide.

GDA and AMAEI understand that the digital promotion of the various musical genres that define Portuguese independent music is essential for its development and sustainability. At the same time, it serves as an important tool to improve artists’ income from streaming platforms.

To address the gap resulting from the lack of tools with this purpose in Portugal, GDA and AMAEI have designed this project, which consists of a digital platform (website) that, anchored by diverse playlist curation and a podcast, is exclusively dedicated to ensuring the diversity of dissemination, promotion, and support for Portuguese independent music.

 

Our mission…

IndieLights has the fundamental mission of expanding the visibility and reach of independent artists on digital platforms, creating new opportunities for them to reach new audiences both within and outside their countries of origin.

It is well known that playlists are crucial components in any strategy aimed at maximizing the reach, engagement, and success of artists on streaming platforms, as the inclusion of a song in playlists significantly increases its exposure. In fact, this is currently one of the main tools for leading listeners to discover new music.

Moreover, the fact that streaming platforms use algorithms to suggest songs to users based on their preferences and listening habits means that songs listed in playlists have a higher chance of being recommended by the algorithm, thus increasing the number of plays.

 

… and how we accomplish it

The curation strategy of the IndieLights project involves creating playlists that are diverse in terms of musical genre, theme, and mood, combining artists with the goal of attracting and engaging various audiences. In this way, we promote a rich and varied listening experience that highlights the best of independent music, aiming to create continuous engagement with listeners. If a listener enjoys a particular playlist, it is quite likely they will begin to follow it, listen to it regularly, or recommend it to friends, increasing audience retention.

Initially, only national music will be included. However, unlike traditional playlist projects, IndieLights will soon advance to developing export-oriented playlists, thereby emphasizing cross-border collaboration.

This innovative approach helps create new audiences and increases streaming revenues for artists from smaller markets, who face challenges due to the limited population size or lower streaming service penetration. Additionally, it counters the algorithms of these platforms, which tend to minimize Portuguese music by grouping it all into one category, ignoring its diversity and potential for growth beyond borders.

The playlists aggregated in IndieLights profiles available on streaming platforms are based on strategic curation, created by curators—sector personalities of recognized merit invited for this purpose.

In a second phase, IndieLights will also have a podcast, Indie Spotlights, to complement its mission of promoting and showcasing Portuguese independent music.

 

Who takes part on the lists?

This is a project whose ultimate goal is to gradually present playlists that, ideally, include all independent music. Therefore, it’s in constant progress regarding its playlists and invited curators.

 

IndieLights project is a partnership between AMAEI and GDA