Is the audience for popular music created by the music industry?

Roy Shuker argues ‘that the market for popular music recordings, and therefore the pop music audience itself are essentially created by the music industry’. He further suggests that this has may lead to a level of music that is essentially compressed with minimal diversion from the framework taken on by those involved in the industry, which in its self to a degree has the ability to almost guarantee hits not only for artist, but for consumers too.

On the other hand, Theodor Adorno states an alternative viewpoint that specific artists are able to create genuinely innovative and culturally significant music in spite of a manipulative and controlling music industry.

In my opinion, it is unintelligent to suggest that audiences do not depend on the music industry for their music consumption to some degree, with programmes such as ‘The UK Top 40’ being a prime source for top music choices, on the other hand it is unrealistic to suggest that specific styles or genres are forced on them, many individuals are simply more passive in their music choice, while others will actively look for new exciting music.