Barcelona to Bengaluru: How a Local Oakland Protest Ignited a Global Movement

A series of small, local talks in an Oakland library has unexpectedly become the catalyst for a global conversation. The “Death to Spotify” event, initially conceived by two local residents, has struck a chord with musicians and fans around the world, with people from Barcelona, Spain, to Bengaluru, India, reaching out to learn how they can replicate the movement in their own cities.
This rapid international interest highlights the universal nature of the grievances against Spotify. Issues like low artist pay, the dominance of algorithms, and ethical concerns about corporate leadership are not confined to the American indie scene. Musicians and music lovers globally are facing the same challenges and are clearly hungry for a coordinated response.
The Oakland event provided a crucial spark by offering a blueprint for action. Instead of just complaining online, organizers Stephanie Dukich and Manasa Karthikeyan created a physical space for discussion and education. Their focus on practical steps, like how to decentralize music discovery and manage personal music files, gave people a tangible way to participate, a model that is now being adopted elsewhere.
The spread of this movement suggests a decentralized, grassroots network is forming. It’s not being directed from a central headquarters but is growing organically as communities adapt the “Death to Spotify” concept to their own local contexts. This structure makes the movement resilient and adaptable, able to take root in diverse cultural environments.
What started as a local protest is now a testament to the interconnectedness of the global music community. It shows that a well-articulated, actionable idea can transcend borders with remarkable speed. The journey from Oakland to Barcelona and Bengaluru demonstrates a shared, worldwide desire to build a more equitable and artist-centric future for music.