Peajay
You make an interesting point. Even with social media the influence of national radio REMAINS enormous.
Around 98% of people... my estimate...have to be told... repetitively introduced to ... WHAT THEY LIKE.
Most music lovers don't make there own decisions.
One example for me is the band ... Death Cab for Cutie ... I love them but I believe I found them myself.
I like Midlake by the way.
So here is an indie band (my sons) the album came out this month..... it's up on Spotify...no one has heard of.
https://soundcloud.com/astral-cloud-ashes
I think anyone that likes indie music will appreciate these tracks....but without National airplay...no chance of success.
I cannot remember hearing Midlake more than once on National radio.