Music live stream platform Mandolin to shut down

Music live stream platform Mandolin is winding down operations, the company said in an email to users Tuesday.

Mandolin, which won awards for innovations in fan livestream engagement, launched early in the pandemic. But three years later, it could not sustain itself from a dwindling number of livestreams or secure new funding.

Late last summer, the startup attempted to expand its services to include custom artist pages and a fan data analytics hub, but that effort never gained traction.

“We’ve spent the better part of the last year fundraising to sustain and grow our business, and, unfortunately, we were unable to secure further commitment to our vision,” wrote Mandolin CEO and co-founder Mary Kay Huse.

Multiple sources tell Hypebot that Mandolin also explored a sale in recent weeks in addition to its search for funding but found no takers.

Many livestream platforms launched during the pandemic are experiencing similar struggles. But one competitor, StageIt, launched before 2020, just announced a partnership with Full Option to develop live and taped music performances from Saudi Arabia to a worldwide audience.

Bruce Houghton is the Founder and Editor of Hypebot and MusicThinkTank, a Senior Advisor at Bandsintown, President of the Skyline Artists Agency, and a professor for the Berklee College Of Music.