The future of the music industry in the Digital Era

A new decade for the music industry

Throughout history, music and entertainment have played a huge role in representing the creative expressions of the world around us. Every decade comes with a shift within the music industry, from the different genres and sounds to the evolving ways artists connect with fans.

This decade started with complete uncertainty as the global pandemic resulted in the world standing still. With social distancing and strict prevention measures in place, avenues to showcase musical talents became limited. Since organizing physical concerts and going on tours became impossible, artists and creators turned to social media to connect with their audience.

Let’s take a look into what the future holds for the music industry.

Livestreams on social media

The rise of social media’s popularity has paved the way for musical artists to share snippets, behind-the-scenes footage, important announcements and even conduct virtual concerts to keep their fans in the loop. Social media platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook and more allow millions of people to connect with the artists digitally.

Rise of independent artists

The competition within the industry is getting more cut-throat as everyone has an equal chance of “making it” in the Digital Era. This level of competition allows artists to find their true voice and come up with innovative ways to make fans feel like they are connected to the creation process.

With the rise in popularity of social media and viral trends, all it takes is one hit or one viral video to gain a following of millions. Whether it’s a new song, a catchy beat or a 30-second preview of a verse, indie artists can grow their fan base by consistently engaging with followers and subscribers online. Today, the future of the music industry seems to rely more on the artist’s relatability towards their audience, making social media a necessity for all artists.

Music recommendations based on algorithms

Almost everybody who uses music streaming platforms like SoundCloud, Spotify, Tidal and Apple Music can attest that they have discovered new music thanks to the algorithm-based recommendations. Our electronic devices collect all the data from our online activity and suggest new options based on our listening and search history.

This technology allows listeners to discover fresh new tracks based on their taste in music. The more genres and varieties of artists you listen to on music streaming apps, the more music recommendations will pop up according to your liking.

Final thoughts

If the past year has shown us anything about the music industry, it is the increasing and heavy reliance on social media for artists of all sorts of backgrounds. The way we interact and engage with artists and their music has completely changed, and the technology available today is paving the way for new indie artists to rise to fame.