These days, it’s an exciting time to be an indie. The independent world has more options for artists than ever, and, with globalization and technological advancements, the gaps between indie labels and the majors is dwindling. Because of this, gatekeeping is also no longer the worry it once was, and indie labels are finding that they’re better equipped to quickly react to what their artists want — and what their consumers need. To get a sense of what excites those in the indie world the most, Billboard reached out to 130 executives, the majority of whom also appear on Billboard ‘s 2026 Indie Power Players list. From cultural exchanges with the K-pop industry to utilizing social media and streaming services to connect with fans across the world, these executives say that indie music has never been bigger — or more advantageous for artists.…