Social Media in Chile’s Indie Music Scene: Crossing Local and Global Boundaries

This chapter examines how social media platforms strengthen the independent scene in Chile by bringing artists closer to their fan base and helping them make decisions about their music in looking to international reach. Chile, isolated by distance and geography, has a small population (18 million) compared to other Latin countries. Based on data gathered from different actors within the current scene from three cities (N: 30), we discuss the impact social media has on the promotion and consumption of music and the organization of the scene across local and international boundaries. We argue that Chile’s indie scene centrally revolves around social media, facilitating the exchange between music, fans, and labels. Indie values are configured around an entrepreneurial and adaptable spirit, and so has seen the most growth through social media.