Rob Abelow

Rob Abelow is a prominent figure in the music industry, known for his roles as the founder of Where Music's Going and the Head of US for OpenStage, a direct-to-fan platform. He is based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Key Roles and Experiences:

• Founder, Where Music's Going: This is a music industry research and advisory firm focused on helping artists connect directly with their fans to build sustainable audiences.12
• Head of US at OpenStage: OpenStage aims to empower artists by providing tools that consolidate fan data and communications across various platforms like streaming services, social media, merchandise sales, community engagement, and ticketing.2
• CEO & Founder of Roll Call Records & Management: Rob has extensive experience in artist management and record label operations through Roll Call Records & Management.12

Insights on Direct-to-Fan Engagement:

Rob Abelow emphasizes the importance of genuine connections between artists and fans. He advocates for strategies that focus on building meaningful relationships rather than solely chasing metrics like streaming numbers. His work highlights how true fans are crucial for an artist's long-term success.3

Recent Contributions:

He recently shared a guide to running direct-to-fan businesses using platforms like OpenStage, Bonfire, Single, Bandcamp, Mainfactor among others.2 Additionally, he stresses the need for artists to "stop renting" (relying on third-party platforms) and "start owning" their audience channels to achieve sustainability in their careers.4