The music industry has come a long way since then. Different music genres have emerged as time passed. This has allowed several artists to be discovered in a way that they weren’t before. Moreover, when technology made its way to the music industry, it brought many opportunities and threats. The music industry has thrived and thought of alternative ways to release and distribute music.
The public greatly benefited when technology penetrated the music industry. Music is now easily accessible, and they no longer have the challenges they have had before. While they’re happy with this advancement, companies are greatly inconvenienced because it’s a change they have to live with. They have had to deal with their declining album sales and slowly accept the terms that album selling won’t be the same as before.
Digital Release and Distribution of Music
Digital streaming is the new thing today now that technology has penetrated the music industry. Spotify and iTunes are popular music streaming apps that require you to pay a monthly subscription fee to listen to unlimited songs for a specific period. Before this, music was sold physically in the manner of cassettes, CDs, and vinyl.
The sales of the companies that sold these were heavily affected by digital streaming. Artists still sell these, but they’re usually sold in limited amounts compared to before. These are generally accompanied by memorabilia found in online stores so that fans will be more enticed to purchase them.
Live Stream Performances
It’s challenging to hold concerts with the current pandemic because it will worsen the current situation. But thanks to technology, artists can still hold virtual concerts through live stream performances. Artists have a designated website where they can organize a live stream performance. This said performance can only be accessible once a person pays for that access.
The Convenience of Technology in the Music Industry
Before digital music streaming, people had to burn CDs and download music from the Internet. Kids and teenagers no longer have to spend that money to purchase albums because they can easily be downloaded from the Internet. Moreover, when music streaming apps came into the picture, it has made people’s lives more convenient because they no longer have to use a separate device to listen to music, e.g., iPod, MP3 player, etc.
The Downside of Technology in the Music Industry
Aside from the benefits of technology in the music industry, it also has its fair share of downsides. When technology was still new in the music industry, music piracy was widespread. About $12.5 billion worth of sales in the United States were lost to pirated music.
A lot of businesses whose primary business was selling albums had to close because of technology. Digital music streaming proves to be more convenient, especially for the younger generation. They listen to music while they jog and while they commute, and listening is more convenient if you can use your phone while doing it.
The music industry is continuously improving to produce more good music in the future. With the aid of technology, it will create more quality music for the public. Furthermore, it will also open more doors to artists with promising talents, but are not given a chance to shine on stage.
All they have to do is upload their audio or videos online for the people to see and share. It will eventually reach the proper record labels and give them a chance at becoming a singer. It’s easy for aspiring artists to get discovered nowadays—all they have to do is stay relevant and demonstrate positive behavior throughout to ensure they remain in the spotlight.
Technology has its benefits and drawbacks, like how change does. It’s not easy and comfortable because no change is easy and comfortable. Certain establishments have ceased operations because of this, and artists have been discovered. What you can get from advancements is that they can be both good and bad. What’s currently in trend today might not be a trend in the future, so you should go with the tides to make sure that you stay relevant in the future.
Change is constant, like in any aspect of a society or a person’s life. With that, there will be further technological changes to the music industry in the future. People involved in related businesses should be able to storm the changes in the future and think of innovative ways to stay on track. Anticipation and adaptability are key if you want to remain relevant in this industry for many years to come.
