2025 Music Industry Insights: The age of music as a multi-sensory experience has arrived.
Everywhere I look and log into, my music industry peers are throwing their crystal balls around, predicting how 2025 will look and pan out. Some are spot-on; others are… let’s just say creatively optimistic. As 2024 draws to a close, let’s take a moment to look back at a transformative year in the music industry and forward to the innovations and challenges that await in 2025. From advancements in technology to breakthroughs in gender equity, the future of music is bold, inclusive, and dynamic. Here are the key trends poised to shape 2025:
1. AI and Creativity: Art Meets Algorithm
AI-powered tools like ChatGPT and Amper Music have evolved from novelties to essential creative partners for artists. In 2025, the music industry will fully embrace AI’s collaborative potential. Instead of replacing human creativity, AI will enhance it, offering new ways for artists to connect with their audiences and experiment with sound.
For instance, Grimes licensing her voice for AI-generated music or Holly Herndon’s groundbreaking integration of human and machine creativity signals a future where AI empowers rather than competes with artists. Imagine fans co-creating tracks with their favourite musicians through AI-powered apps — 2025 will redefine music as a truly interactive and collaborative experience.
2. Gender Equity: Building on Moments
2024 marked a historic turning point for gender equity in the music industry. Finally! It was sometimes like banging one’s head against a wall, and there is still SO much more to achieve, but…BBC Radio’s playlists achieved 50/50 gender parity for the first time, a milestone driven by relentless advocacy and data-driven accountability from initiatives like Why Not Her?.
Reflecting on this achievement, I recall the moment I informed Jeff Smith of BBC Radio that they had reached gender parity. It was surreal, almost unbelievable — a milestone that had felt so distant suddenly materialised after years of campaigning. And yet, as I stood on this pinnacle of progress, ready to share the news with the world, I was met with silence.
For the first time in over five years of relentless campaigning for women in music and diverse artists, I had something momentous to celebrate. I expected headlines, op-eds, a chorus of acknowledgment from the same newspapers and publications that so readily highlight the negatives. But instead of a celebration for women and diversity, there was tumbleweed. It was as if the achievement didn’t fit their narrative. Positivity, it seems, doesn’t sell as well as outrage.
Why is it that the media gravitates so easily toward stories of inequity but recoils when faced with the fruits of progress? Is it because celebrating change requires acknowledging that change is possible — and that accountability works? Or is it that good news simply isn’t as marketable?
This silence was a stark reminder of how deeply entrenched the industry’s challenges are. While the BBC’s achievement was monumental, it’s just one piece of a much larger puzzle. Equality is not a destination; it’s a journey, one that requires ongoing effort and relentless accountability.
This massive change, the by-product of campaigning since 2019, marks the beginning of tangible progress. But in 2025, we must extend this progress to all facets of the industry — from streaming platforms to festival line-ups. Our goal is to amplify women’s voices and prioritise representation for diverse artists and other underrepresented communities. The BBC has demonstrated that equality is a choice, not a distant dream.
Our next challenge is to hold streaming platforms and other industry giants to the same standard. Let’s not stop until every festival, every playlist, and every algorithm celebrates the full spectrum of talent our industry offers. Let’s ensure that progress is not just achieved but celebrated, loudly and unapologetically.
3. Immersive Experiences: Fans Step Inside the Music
The rise of virtual and augmented reality is transforming live music. Artists like Björk and Travis Scott have already experimented with VR concerts, but 2025 will take immersive experiences to unprecedented levels.
Picture AR-enhanced gigs, metaverse tours, and interactive album releases where fans are no longer spectators but co-creators. Imagine stepping into Rosalia’s Motomami world or collaborating on beats in a virtual session with Fred Again… The age of music as a multi-sensory experience has arrived.
4. The Genre-less Era
The boundaries of genre are blurring, and 2025 will solidify this shift. Acts like Burna Boy bringing Afrobeat to global stages, Bad Bunny dominating with Latin trap, and Ice Spice blending drill with pop reflect a growing trend: fans crave authenticity over categorisation.
In 2025, the charts won’t be defined by genre but by energy. From hyperpop to amapiano, global sounds will continue to push boundaries and reshape what’s possible in music.
5. Decentralisation: Artists Take the Reins
The traditional gatekeepers of the music industry are losing their grip as decentralised platforms like Bandcamp and Audius rise in prominence. In 2025, artists will increasingly connect directly with fans, bypassing intermediaries and creating fairer, more sustainable business models.
Imagine fans owning stakes in an artist’s career, voting on tour locations, or participating in creative decisions. This shift isn’t just empowering artists — it’s revolutionising the fan-artist relationship.
6. Mental Health and Sustainability: A Growing Movement
The conversation around mental health took centre stage in 2024, with artists like Lewis Capaldi and Chappell Roan stepping back from touring and live gig arrangements to prioritise their wellbeing. While we are on this topic… Did you notice how contrasting the industry reacted to the male artist prioritising his mental health and being hailed for it versus Chappell Roan, who was written about everywhere as someone who “couldn’t hack the limelight” or wasn’t a “real” icon?
This glaring double standard emphasises the systemic bias still deeply ingrained in the industry. Male vulnerability is often celebrated as strength, while women making the same choices are subjected to scrutiny and judgment. It’s a reflection of the broader societal narrative that expects women to shoulder everything silently — and when they refuse, their character is questioned.
In 2025, we must push for a shift not only in practices but also in perception. Working collectively to dismantle these stereotypes and demand that mental health is treated as a universal priority — without gendered bias is an absolute must. Artists of all genders deserve the space and respect to prioritise their wellbeing.
Companies like A Greener Future are now being hailed for their visionary work in the areas of sustainability. Their partnerships with artists and festivals are revolutionising how the music industry addresses its carbon footprint. Massive Attack’s collaboration with the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research, as highlighted in The New York Times, set a new precedent for integrating science with sustainability in music. A Greener Future’s initiatives, such as facilitating carbon-neutral tours and promoting green energy use at festivals, have shown that the industry can adapt without sacrificing creativity or fan experience.
The strides made by these organisations prove that a sustainable music industry is not only possible but essential. In 2025, we’ll see even greater adoption of these practices, with more artists and companies committing to eco-conscious operations.
The Issue Of Ticket Prices
The escalating cost of concert tickets has become a pressing issue in the music industry, with recent events highlighting the challenges fans face in accessing live performances. Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour, for instance, generated over $2 billion in ticket sales, making it the most financially successful tour to date.
However, this success came with ticket prices averaging $204, significantly higher than the industry’s average of $131.
Some fans even reported paying up to $4,000 for two tickets, indicating a substantial financial barrier for many.
Similarly, the announcement of Oasis’s 2025 reunion tour was met with excitement, but also criticism over ticket pricing. Fans reported prices on Ticketmaster soaring from £135 to over £350 due to dynamic pricing models, leading to a government investigation into these practices.
In Australia, tickets ranged from approximately $183 to $411, prompting backlash from fans who deemed the prices “disgraceful.”
Dynamic pricing, which adjusts ticket costs based on demand, has been particularly controversial. While it aims to maximise revenue and manage supply, it often results in exorbitant prices that alienate a significant portion of the fanbase. The backlash against Oasis’s ticket prices, for example, has prompted discussions about the fairness and transparency of such models.
As someone deeply invested in the future of live music, I find this trend concerning. Live performances are a vital aspect of the music ecosystem, fostering a unique connection between artists and audiences. However, when ticket prices become prohibitively expensive, they undermine the inclusivity and accessibility that are fundamental to the live music experience.
Looking ahead, the industry must address these challenges to ensure the sustainability of live music. This includes reevaluating pricing strategies to balance profitability with accessibility, increasing transparency in ticket sales, and exploring alternative revenue streams that don’t disadvantage fans. Additionally, implementing measures to combat scalping and the exploitation of secondary markets is crucial.
The future of live music depends on creating an environment where all fans have the opportunity to engage with their favourite artists without facing insurmountable financial barriers. By prioritising fairness and accessibility, the industry can preserve the magic of live performances for generations to come.From mental health resources to sustainable touring practices, fans and industry leaders alike are recognising that a healthy, thriving music ecosystem requires care for both people and the planet. The future of music depends on it.
What’s Next?
As we prepare to enter 2025, the music industry stands at a crossroads. Will we embrace these trends and prioritise inclusivity, innovation, and sustainability? The potential for progress is immense, but it will require collective action from artists, fans, and industry leaders alike.
What do YOU think? Are these trends on your radar? Let’s make 2025 a year of real change. Share your thoughts and let’s shape the future together.
