The music industry is constantly evolving, with trends changing so fast. And, of course, how could this not happen when new musicians keep emerging, and listeners look for more diverse genres? Not to mention, new technologies are also playing a huge role in increasing the popularity of indie artists.
And let’s not forget how the pandemic changed the world of live music concerts so drastically. With the arrival of COVID-19, its delta variant, and omicron surge, it is hard for anything to remain the same. As so much more than we could expect happened, many things will also take you by complete surprise and perhaps excitement.
On that note, there are several new trends in the music industry that are on the horizon. Although the previous two years have been crappy for everyone, we’re trying to remain positive and look at how the music industry is moving forward.
We have a lot to shed light on, from new ways of finding music to online music experiences. But before getting into the significant music trends to look out for in 2022, we must see what happened in 2021.
A Look at the 2021 Music Industry
The music industry was quite interesting in 2021. We’ve seen several changes across the world that affected both musicians and listeners.
The music industry experienced saw a comeback of old-school vinyl during the previous year. And with the risk of a fatal disease at all times, there was also a modest recovery of in-person music concerts on a small scale. Not to mention, many fans also loved how the pandemic introduced virtual gigs.
You may think that’s all, but strategic countries like Mexico and Brazil also saw an explosion in streaming. And how can we not mention the musical business events of WAC and IMC China?
The music market of Spain also grew by 22 percent in the first half of 2021. As a result, it made over $180 million (€170 million) in revenue. On the other hand, the US experienced a 27 percent growth reaching $7.1 billion.
Besides that, many music aggregators, distributors, and labels also switched to digital. The old and newly-produced music made its way to various streaming platforms so it could reach a worldwide audience.
Greater Demand for Live Gigs by Millenials
The outbreak of coronavirus put live music concerts on hold. And this was news that no concertgoer enjoyed. After all, watching your favorite artist perform on stage right in front of you is always fun and can be an exhilarating experience.
For decades, people have enjoyed attending concerts and having a fun, friendly, and familiar experience. After nearly two years of being in lockdowns and unable to see people and have fun, fans, especially Millenials, are demanding more opportunities for live music events.
When looking at the current state of live music, the industry is still in the process of getting back on its feet. Halfway into 2022, concerts are still canceled, and music tours are postponed.
It’s hard to say whether the Millenials will get what they want as the pandemic is still on. After all, there is still no surety whether border closures are completely over. With fans eager to sway in live music concerts, we can only say that the demand and thirst are only getting greater.
Domination of TikTok
Tiktok is the new sensation worldwide when it comes to creative platforms. And, it is most certainly becoming a music streaming platform with time. Music streaming is a key feature of TikTok, especially after the pandemic.
In September 2021, the platform announced an audience of a whopping 1 billion active users, and the number only seems to increase with time. This means that it easily increases the chances of new music going viral. Indeed, it only gets better and will likely play a huge role in the music industry this year.
As such, one of the world’s top web domains is also an important digital platform for promoting music in 2022. Musicians can use TikTok to reach an audience of millions effectively. There are different methods of doing so. For instance, artists can set up a studio and play their hits. But with the changing consumption habits, a musician should know how to nail short TikTok content.
With that being said, there are also plenty of copycats on TikTok. And though it seems like they may take the wind off, we think not. As far as this year is concerned, the digital platform will go strong for music artists.
Online Music Experiences
The ‘online experience’ game is gaining popularity these days. Think about it, how popular are platforms like OnlyFans, Patreon, and Cameon? Today’s generation is more invested in experiences than visual and audible content. This may also be another reason why fans demand more live concerts.
That said, music artists are also tapping into the game to provide their fans with special online experiences. They’re making direct offers regarding bespoke and other unique musical experiences.
Tipping As a Method of Monetization
Many digital platforms are offering monetization options for their users (artists and creators). Looking back at TikTok, it also includes a monetization feature known as tipping. Features like this allow fans like us can support our favorite musicians.
While there are tipping rules that apply to creators, it is a great way of acquiring much-needed support. With artists being unable to host concerts as of now, trends like tipping will only grow bigger.
And when they are finally able to perform, the monetization method will serve as an extra source of income. Therefore, our predictions suggest that tipping and other monetization features like video gifting are here to stay.
This current trend is a clear indication of how digital platforms want to direct the music market. Not to mention, brands and labels can make generous revenue from a thoughtful combination of content and monetization plan.
In fact, various singers and bands used the monetization features to their advantage in 2020 when COVID-19 had just hit.
More Online Music Teachers
Another music trend that we are noticing is the insane number of online music teachers during the last year and this year. After all, the music industry also needed something for the young learners and those looking to pursue music in the future.
With all the hardships that the pandemic brought, it was impossible to put to end to music classes. Young artists are determined not to stop polishing their knowledge and skills in music. And with this, we see an increase in the number of online music teachers.
Digital platforms like YouTube, Zoom and Skype continue to see a rapid rise in popularity after the trend of online music classes began in 2021. Not only are both parties more comfortable during virtual lessons, but videos, video calls, and Zoom webinars also ensure that the music industry experiences no stop.
Apart from this, online music teaching also helps many music artists and teachers in making ends meet. A lot of them especially struggled after the breakout of the deadly virus. So, this music trend for 2022 also helps musicians recover lost income.
With so much changing in the music industry due to the pandemic, it’s safe to say that it is still thriving well. Live music is returning slowly and gradually, and online content is helping artists while young musicians continue to learn music. Halfway through the year, don’t you think our predictions for music trends for 2022 are quite spot on?
