The independent music industry is taking shape and evolving faster than ever. Every year, there is a new platform, shaping how fans consume music. Today, technologies have put creative tools in the hands of people who don’t use to have such access. All of these have made predicting the future of independent music quite a tricky endeavor.
Early this year, SoundCharts made a prediction and trends music will assume in 2020. These include how Artificial Intelligence will shape the music industry—creating more income streams for artists through the democratization of music creation. It is also expected that the way music is consumed will change. While giving way for generative music as a result of contextual playlists. However, there is a trend that leans more towards independent music; artists are expected to become more powerful than ever.
Power is genuinely shifting towards independent music. Of course, this does not come as a surprise with the way independent labels have been attracting big-name artists of late. Nonetheless, the prediction of analysts tilts towards big record labels losing grip on the music industry, and it’s coming to reality. With them losing their power, the major record labels will move towards adopting the contractual terms only found in indie music settings—for example, more progressive split.
Increased Output As The New Normal
Right from the 80s and 90s, indie artists stick with the two-year album cycle. Allowing them to max out every potential of the album. This is about to become history as indie artists are increasing their outputs. Just like its obtainable with pop, hip-hop RnB, and other genres of music.
In the last 18 months or so, a good number of indie artists have churned out music at a regular rate. We are talking about Saddle Creek, Barsuk, Matador, Domino, and others. With the pandemic raging, things have slowed down, but this has not stopped the increased output of indie artists.
The reason for this shift is a result of the changes in how people consume music. The young audience are abandoning albums and radio, focusing more on streaming platforms. This does not seem like it will slow down soonest as it even grants more power to indie artists.
Final Thoughts
The way music is being created, marketed, and consumed is changing at a faster pace. All of these are affecting not only the mainstream music industry but majorly the independent music sphere.
