The 2012 music model resembles a band in a bar - playing free shows in exchange for a couple of free drinks and the hope of building a solid community. Free song streams, downloads, and live streams of shows are being made available not only through music services and most recognizable tech companies around, but through artists themselves. Does giving music away grow fans and encourage a loyal community or is it simply a scheme to deplete the incomes of the industry? With much controversy and discussion regarding the debate on “free” and “freemium”, this panel will explore if free music services and downloads are undermining artist revenue or helping them grow their fanbase.