When Musicians Lose the Joy of Music – and How We Can Find It Again

A new interview report by Henrik Marstal, published in collaboration with the Danish Musicians’ Union, Autor, and Koda Kultur, sheds light on a serious but often overlooked side of the music industry: when the passion for music is overshadowed by pressure, stress, and unrealistic expectations.

The report is based on 18 personal stories from musicians who openly share their experiences with anxiety, low self-esteem, financial insecurity, and the feeling of never being good enough. These are powerful accounts showing that even for those who have made music their livelihood, the joy can fade when the chase for success takes over.

More Than Just Success on the Poster

Several of the interviewed musicians point out that the industry often measures success by visible milestones – big festival appearances, radio hits, or streaming numbers – while other important factors like creative joy, a stable work life, and mental health are overlooked. Singer-songwriter Marc Facchini describes how artistic pressure and self-criticism have repeatedly overshadowed his satisfaction with his own work.

A Shared Responsibility

The report calls on the entire industry – from bookers and labels to the musicians themselves – to take responsibility for creating a healthier environment. This isn’t just about making space for conversations about well-being; it’s also about actively changing the structures that maintain constant performance pressure.

Finding Balance Again

For many, it’s about rediscovering why they started playing music in the first place. That might mean seeking new collaborations, changing workload, or redefining what success means to them personally.

Where Can Beatnickel Play a Role?

While Beatnickel can’t solve the industry’s deepest structural problems alone, it can be a place where musicians find community, support, and new opportunities – without everything revolving around charts and headlines. Here, connections can be built on collaboration and mutual inspiration rather than competition.

A Call for Openness

The report makes it clear that there is a need to speak openly about the industry’s darker sides – not to scare people away, but to create change. The more we share experiences and listen to each other, the greater the chance that music can once again be a source of joy, not just a fight for recognition.