The rise in digital technology has allowed more artists to distribute their music and earn money, the organisation for collecting and distributing music royalties to composers, songwriters and publishers has said.

MCPS-PRS Alliance said its membership had risen to an all-time high of 60,000 members – an increase of six per cent over the last year.
Myles Keller, membership development director said: ‘Our record membership figures are a very clear indication that creating music has become a far more accessible and less expensive activity, thanks to the rise of new technology.

“The Arctic Monkeys, Lily Allen, Sandi Thom and Enter Shikari are the tip of the iceberg when it comes to DIY music making.

‘‘This can only have positive ramifications for fans of music, who have a greater amount of choice than ever before in terms of the music that is available to them.”

The news of the Alliance membership hike comes a month after it announced record revenues of £562.1 million for 2007.