Boyband icon Simon Webbe has officially launched Backstage, a music platform designed to help artists build deeper relationships with their most loyal fans while creating a sustainable source of income beyond streaming.
Developed over the past year in close partnership with Leeds-based creative agency Serviced and York-based digital product specialists The Distance, the Backstage app has been created as an exclusive destination where artists can share behind-the-scenes content, unreleased music, personal updates, and dedicated fan experiences. The app is completely free to download, with premium artist subscriptions available from £9.99 per month.
The big launch sees Simon and his fellow Blue bandmates become the platform’s very first featured artists, giving fans unprecedented access to exclusive content as the app begins rolling out across iOS and Android devices in the UK.
Unlike traditional social media platforms, which reward reach and algorithms, Backstage has been designed entirely around the quality of connection. Artists can build private communities of superfans, share content unavailable anywhere else, and develop recurring subscription revenue through a model intended to give creators a significantly larger share of income than existing streaming platforms. To keep things personal, the platform currently limits membership to 10,000 fans per artist in each country.
The clever concept originated with Simon himself, whose 25-year career in the music industry inspired him to rethink how artists connect with their audiences. Having experienced first-hand the changing economics of the music business, Simon wanted to create a platform where fans could play a more active role in an artist’s journey – from hearing new music before release to influencing creative decisions like touring locations, album tracks, and music videos.
Speaking about the launch, Simon said: “Launching Backstage Music has been an incredible moment, and I’m genuinely excited for fans to finally experience what we’ve been building. Creating something that brings artists and their audiences closer together has always been the goal, and this is only the beginning.
“I also want to give a huge thank you to the team at Serviced. They’ve been with us from the very start, helping turn what began as an idea into a platform we’re all incredibly proud of. Their creativity, technical expertise and belief in the vision have been invaluable throughout the journey. Every time I head up to Leeds, it feels like I’m working alongside one team with one shared ambition. It’s been a pleasure collaborating with such a passionate and talented group of people.”
While the initial rollout focuses squarely on the UK, discussions are already underway with additional international artists, with the long-term ambition of establishing Backstage as a leading global superfan platform that serves both established acts and emerging talent.
Adam Shire, Managing Director at Serviced, added: “Backstage has been built around a simple idea: fans want to feel closer to the artists they love, and artists need a better way to build relationships with the people who support them. Launching with Blue gives us the perfect opportunity to demonstrate what that looks like, from exclusive content and unheard music to the moments that usually stay behind closed doors.”
More information about Backstage is available at www.backstagemusic.co.
