The music industry has come a long way. The way people consume music has changed, and with it comes changes in the power dynamics of music. Now, music’s growth is in the hands of consumers and independent artists, not on a few major record labels. Read more about trends in music and the directions its growth may take in the future.
Social Media and Music
Social media has had a profound effect on the music industry, and its popularity is only continuing to grow. For many people, social media is the primary way they discover new music. This leads to a variety of effects — some of these are discussed below.
Blending Genres
Music, as a form of entertainment, is starting to mirror how many people are entertained. People derive entertainment from various media, and music is following suit. Nowadays, boundaries between music genres are being broken down, which reflects the actual taste of people — most people do not limit themselves to one genre. While genre blending has been done since the NU metal, rap rock, and alternative bands of yesteryears like Linkin Park, Korn, and Limp Bizkit, the mixing of genres has not been as prominent as it is today. Nowadays, hip-hop and rap elements are found in almost every pop song; it can even be argued that hip-hop is now part of pop. Songs that combine elements from various genres frequently top the charts, like songs by Justin Bieber, Lana Del Rey, and even K-Pop songs. This is great for music producers and composers, too — as artists, limiting themselves to one genre hinders their growth, whereas going beyond boundaries sets them free.
Converging Forms of Entertainment
Additionally, social media networks like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and TikTok encourage the sharing of music. In fact, almost 90% of the respondents to one survey stated that they do something related to music on social media. Facebook and Instagram have integrated music into Stories and “My Day” posts. One can even argue that background music is a requirement on Tiktok; any videos without sound will definitely get skipped. This has led musicians and producers to strengthen their presence on these networks, even releasing songs there. Their presence on these networks, where comedy and memes rule, has also inspired them to combine music and comedy. Some artists have created large followings through this, such as Lubalin, who created the famous “Internet Drama” series. Platforms like Spotify and Soundcloud make it easy to find and share new tracks, as well.
All in all, we are seeing the lines between music and other forms of entertainment beginning to blur. In the past, people would generally consume music and other forms of entertainment separately. However, social media has made it possible for people to discover new music while they are scrolling through their feeds. This increasing convergence of entertainment is having a major impact on the music industry, and we will likely see even more changes in the years to come.
Accessibility of Music
In the past, music was a lot less accessible than it is now. If you wanted to listen to your favorite song, you had to buy the album it was on, or hope that it would come on the radio. And if you wanted to learn how to play an instrument or sing, you either needed to take lessons from a professional or teach yourself. Nowadays, however, there are a number of ways to access music and learn how to create it. Platforms like Spotify, Soundcloud, and Bandcamp allow users to listen to millions of songs for free, and independent artists can upload their music directly to these sites. If you are a music producer, you may have released music on these platforms. In the coming years, new strategies and algorithms may be developed for music artists to better reach their desired audiences, both fans, and new listeners alike.
Anyone can be an Artist
If you’re interested in learning how to play an instrument or produce your own music, there are also several online marketplaces that sell equipment. From instruments to peripherals like custom wood pedalboards and amplifiers, you can find almost anything online. Social media has made it easier for brands to reach users, too, with specifically targeted marketing materials.
Apart from these, tutorials and guides are everywhere on the Internet. Many YouTube channels offer free guides and tutorials on playing music, adjusting pedal effects, using music production software, and much more. However, with the increase in accessibility, the skill level required to create quality music has also increased. This may not be much of an issue — nowadays, there are music production AI apps as well.
Technology helps in producing good music, as well. Nowadays, even a newbie producer at home can make more polished music than globally famous artists a few decades back. Electronic drum sets became much more popular in the past couple of years, with more drummers using them than before. They are popular for a reason — they do not make as much noise as a traditional drum set. With a decently sized kit, you can change their sounds and fulfill the role of a whole percussion section of an orchestra. The sound quality of the kit in real life matters very little since its digital sound can be polished even further using software.
With all these improvements, anyone can be an artist — and this is great news for everyone. As a music producer or a person interested in technology, take notes, as the relationship between music and technology will definitely grow in the future.
Conclusion
We are seeing the lines between music and other forms of entertainment beginning to blur. In the past, people would generally consume music and other forms of entertainment separately. However, social media has made it possible for people to discover new music while they are scrolling through their feeds. This increasing convergence of entertainment is having a major impact on the music industry, and it is likely that we will see even more changes in the years to come.