Though summer and fall are usually filled with festivals like Coachella and Lollapalooza, the coronavirus pandemic has forced artists to trade massive crowds and well-choreographed productions for the intimacy of their bedrooms and the grainy video on Instagram Live.
Amid the crisis, the live music industry is indefinitely on hold. Tightly packed crowds in concert halls break virtually every set of social distancing guidelines, and 90 percent of independent venues are expected to close in the next few months if there’s no additional aid. And it’s local artists, as well as crew members, who have especially suffered during the pandemic.
The dawn of a new year and in this case, a new decade, is not only the perfect time to set resolutions, or look back on the past in favor or creating the future we want, but it’s also an ideal time to look ahead in the music industry. In this case, that means predicting upcoming trends.
Musicians and industry, you’ll want to listen up for this one—because the music industry is changing fast, and you don’t want to risk being left behind.
More Power Will Shift to Indie Labels
This one isn’t a huge surprise, given the way indie labels have been attracting attention even from larger name artists like XYZ as of late. But in predictions for 2020, experts are guessing that major labels will continue to lose their hold on the industry, and not only will indies become more desirable than majors, but that major labels will begin taking on some of the tactics of indie labels. For instance, more power shifting to the artist, more progressive splits, etc.
StayLitG is an independent artist you should get familiar with. Growing up in between Virginia & Somalia, he came onto the music scene in 2018, but not as an artist, as a very well known promoter / dot connector. Fast forward he now has music out in 2020 and has formed relationships with artists such as Pressa, Roddy Richs Team, YSL Camp, XO, etc. Be on the lookout and Stream his new single “JUNE” Grabbing influence from different shifts of culture from living in Somalia and Virginia are a huge part of StaylitG’s story. He references gaining inspiration from not only big afro-beats artist such as Burna Boy but also the gate keepers of Virginia such as Timbaland, Pharrell and The Clipse.
https://open.spotify.com/track/0VlncgzxAe55tI2J3kWPlf?si=l-qdSBFrRgmPeRog49WkHA
