I can only guess how you and I will experience music in a few years down the road. I would hope how we will listen to recorded music and how artists will be compensated for their efforts. Streaming music has completely changed the landscape in the past few years. So much of the illegal downloading is less of a threat in my opinion. In the past, it was far easier and cheaper to download music illegally than legally, but now listeners are able to enjoy music through services that are relatively inexpensive convenient and easy to use. Better yet they work great for selection and variety and even offer up similar artists that you never heard of before. Thanks to streaming services record labels are able to make money again. Which of course is good for everyone. I wish these profits were being shared fairly with artists and optimistic they will be soon.
Meanwhile, Live shows remain the primary source of revenue for artists, and albums have become less relevant from a commercial point of view. Don’t worry, that does not mean the band or artist will stop shaping their work into cohesive packages. Many will continue making albums for artistic reasons. Because this format allows more creativity. The formats might change and economics might change, but the satisfaction of a Killer Full-Length album never will. Electronic music festivals are still successful and are evolving all the time. It’s pretty spectacular for example to see the development of ULTRA around the world. Tomorrowland is another festival killing it right now, along with many others across the globe but the wave of the future appears to me multi-genre festival’s which are catching on like a Wildfire. The connection and collaborating with artists and bands across the globe is as easy as opening your laptop or tablet and I expect the festivals to feature more and more fresh indie bands and sounds in more and more places in the world.
As Far as what specific sounds will emerge and catch fire? Well no one can predict the future. Music with a Latin flare was definitely the dominant new crossover style in 2017, with Brazilian Funk and trap also becoming more popular internationally. Reggae has also doubled as a new wave of Reggae has taken off like a volcano erupting. Make no mistake Underground club music (house-techno, Tropical Deep House) is super Trendy at the moment and will continue to grow, from the west coast of LA to NYC to all the clubs across Europe.
AS much as we would like to Peer around the corner and catch a glimpse of the next big sound, remember, knowing what’s around the corner would Rob us of the thrill of Discovery! The core qualities of music Connection, Emotions, Movement, a Message, remain as strong as ever. Even in a hyperconnected and ever more virtual age, some things about music will never change.
David Guetta, 2-time Grammy winner and one of the most successful DJ-Producers in the world contributed to this blog. Thank you.
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