Music Industry
How real music business inspired our game mechanics.
What Does a Band Manager Actually Do? The Role, Explained
Everyone pictures the band on stage. So what does a band manager do all day? Here is the honest, unglamorous, weirdly powerful job, explained.
Is There a Football Manager for Music?
Football Manager fans keep asking for a music version. Does it exist? Here is the closest thing, and why the comparison fits so well.
Music Genres Explained: A Map of Sound (and How They Sell)
Music genres explained without the snobbery: what defines a genre, the major families, and how the label you pick shapes your audience and your money.
How Streaming Payouts Really Work (and Why They Are So Small)
Everyone knows streaming pays badly, but how streaming payouts work is stranger than a tiny rate per play. Here is where your streaming penny really goes.
Rising Star 2 and Beyond: Free Band-Management Alternatives
Looking for a Rising Star 2 alternative? Here are the best free band-management games, including a multiplayer one you can start in your browser today.
How Does the Music Industry Actually Work? A Plain-English Guide
How does the music industry work, really? Here is the whole machine in plain English: the players, where the money flows, and how a song reaches a fan.
Games Like Popmundo: 7 Picks for Fans of Persistent Music Worlds
Love Popmundo but want something fresh? Here are seven games like Popmundo, from living music worlds to modern band sims.
How Do Bands Actually Make Money in 2026?
Streaming pays pennies, so how do bands actually make money in 2026? Here is the real breakdown, from gigs to merch to royalties.
The Best Band Management Games to Play in 2026
Looking for a great band management game in 2026? Here are the best ones to play right now, from deep sims to quick browser picks.
How Real Band Management Inspired Our Game Design
From recording studios to touring economics - the real music industry mechanics that power Road to Headliner.
The Economics of Running a Band: In-Game vs. Real Life
Revenue, costs, and the financial realities of band management - comparing Road to Headliner to the real music industry.
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