It will be awesome when Spotify (or others) starts signing up bands as a "record label" itself, similar to Netflix produced shows. (Maybe they already do this?)
Maybe that will attract more bands to directly do business with them.
Maybe that will attract more bands to directly do business with them.
If they have invested in Spotify, then they are just securing their place in case Spotify (or Spotify-like services) displace the old model. It doesn't mean that is going to make any difference in the change of business model when it happens.
If they have too much control in Spotify, someone else will start a new service/label. OR bands will just self produce.
I love the digital age.