The International Music Council has launched the beta version of Fair Music, a streaming platform built around fairness, transparency and artist empowerment and it is now open for testing.

Streaming has transformed how audiences discover and listen to music, but the way value flows back to those who create it remains a persistent source of frustration. Fair Music is an attempt to build something different: a streaming ecosystem where artists earn transparently, listeners have genuine control over what they hear, and the people using the platform help shape how it develops.

The beta version is now live, and its developers are actively inviting the music community to try it and share feedback.

What the platform offers

For artists, Fair Music is designed to reduce friction and increase visibility over earnings. Registration is quick, and a simulated earnings dashboard makes it possible to see how revenue is generated rather than simply receiving a figure at the end of the month. Artists can choose between multiple payout options, upload their work in batches across a range of formats, and manage their rights directly. The platform also includes a marketplace, customisable recommendations, collaborative playlists, and a governance model that gives artists a voice in how the platform is run.

For listeners, the emphasis is on control and openness. Alongside easy signup and customisable recommendations, the platform offers transparency about audio quality, social listening features, a gamified community layer, and in-app tools for sending feedback directly to the team.

For everyone, the project is explicitly feedback-driven. In-app forms make it simple to report bugs or suggest improvements, and analytics are handled securely, without invasive tracking.

Key supporters and partners

  • International Music Council (IMC) leads the initiative to build a transparent streaming model.
  • NIM Creatives (New Internet Media) partners on platform development and technical execution.
  • Network organisations supporting the project include the European Music Council, the Europe Jazz Network, ECSA (European Composer and Songwriter Alliance), and the AEC.

Why it matters for higher music education

For institutions preparing students for professional careers, questions about how music is distributed, valued and paid for are increasingly part of the curriculum. As one of the network organisations behind the project, AEC is glad to see a concrete attempt to answer those questions differently and, at beta stage, this is a rare opportunity for students and staff to influence a platform while it is still taking shape.

Test it and share your feedback

The platform is open now at music.fairmusic.io. The team particularly welcomes input from artists, educators, students and music professionals during this beta phase.

The Fair Music Project is co-funded by the Creative Europe Programme of the European Union. Read the full announcement on the IMC website.