It is certainly apparent that the music industry has changed greatly over time and most significantly in the last decade or so. Not just the music itself but how it’s engaged with and how the method of releasing music has shifted too.
There are a lot of ways in which it has changed in recent years so let’s look at what some of those changes have been.
It’s all about streaming
Streaming has become a big part of how we engage and consume our music, as well as other content like television and film.
It’s quite possibly the primary way that people listen to music and as such, a lot of the music industry’s revenue comes from streaming too. There are multiple streaming platforms available nowadays such as Apple Music, Spotify, Amazon Music and all of which have helped to revolutionize the music industry as we once knew it.
Artists are more connected with their fans
Connecting with artists on a personal level is more doable than ever before. Back in the day, when technology didn’t exist as prominently as it does now, fans would have to see their artists perform in concert to get close to or be within the space as an artist.
Nowadays, you’ve got artists with their own social media profiles that make it possible for fans to reach out to their artists and engage with them directly. Some artists might choose not to respond, while many do.
Surprise drops without marketing
A lot of artists, particularly those with big followings are now trialing out surprise drops of records that have zero marketing. While risky, it has worked out incredibly well for a lot of artists who have had to spend a fraction of the cost in order to promote their new music.
While it might seem like a far cry from the approach of marketing and selling artists like when Clive Davis was around in his heydays, it’s working.
Viral music hits caused through social media
With the trend of viral videos and content, viral music has become a part of that culture with many hits within the charts across the US and UK being from the viral success of TikTok videos or videos via other social media platforms.
These viral hits have again, become popular off the back of viral dances, memes, and other trends via social media.
The rebirth of vinyl
While it comes as a shock to those who saw vinyl as the one and only form of listening to music at one time, it seems like vinyl is making a comeback. A lot of artists are seeing the nostalgic appeal that vinyl brings and as such music fans are investing their money back into vinyls which many music artists are delivering to their fans.
The music industry is certainly changing and will continue to change, but within recent years that has been a dramatic but exciting shift. Who knows what might happen as music continues to evolve in this modern day?
