2025 will be known as the year that setup what could be one of the most impactful years for the music industry that we’ve seen since the debut of Napster and the rise of mp3s.
I decided to focus this week’s column on my Christmas and holiday music wish list is. It’s a look at what I’d like to see within the music industry and its’ adjacent verticals in 2026.
In many ways, the past year was a recalibration for the music industry. It began laying the groundwork for what will inevitably be known in the coming year as the moment when Artificial Intelligence became a part of music as we know it.
Despite push back at times from both artists and fans, recent announced partnerships by Warner Music and the AI-music platform Suno, displayed the record labels’ mentality for what the industry can expect to see more of next year. However with any change comes a period of uncertainty, which is why many of my hopeful wishes for the new year could also be categorized as “pleas”. The future of music could very well depend on if they come true or not!
Figure Out AI’s Role Within the Music Industry
With AI not going anywhere, my first wish for 2026 is that there is some sort of system put in place that clearly identifies if a song is actually created by humans or if it was AI-generated. There must be a globally recognized “AI was used in the making of this” label. Transparency is key. It has been one of the biggest criticisms from creatives across the music, film and art communities.
By implementing this first step, then the more complicated issues such as revenue sharing, song ownership and more can be focused on. However, none of that can happen if the industry doesn’t first come to some sort of AI-content disclaimer and agreement that benefits all parties involved.
You’d think it’d be relatively simple to do, right? Think again.
Spotify has a number of problems this year trying to address AI and “fake” bands infiltrating their platform. The result has been tremendous backlash from artists and fans. It’s forced the streaming service to announce new guidelines (that have not worked out as intended) to help identify if a song was made by humans or machines.
If the powers that be can not setup some sort of framework with Artificial Intelligence within the coming months, then the system as we know it will become a rudderless, algorithmic-spewing devoid space for the entire industry. The stakes have never been higher.
More Streaming Revenue For Artists
According to a 2024 report from MusicRadar, Spotify pays independent artists $0.0029 per stream. That adds up to about $3.00 per 1000 listens. Other platforms such as Pandora pay even less.
With such an unreliable and insufficient streaming pay structure, artists have had to adapt and earn the majority of their money from touring, merchandise, licensing and direct-to-fan models.
However, the combination of fans being more careful and selective with their money due to the currently unsure economic times, as well as artists having more (and unfortunately cheaper) competition via the rise of AI-generated music, means that the majority of musicians are at a severe disadvantage when trying to make a career out of music. Every single streaming platform knows that they hold all the cards when it comes to an artist’s music being able to be heard by the masses.
My hope for 2026 is that we see more streaming revenue shared directly with artists in a quick, timely manner.
Figure It Out: Make Tickets Cheaper
Every music and sports fan can agree on one thing: ticket prices are out of control.
When the whole Taylor Swift/Ticketmaster debacle happened ahead of her Eras Tour in 2024, many Republicans and Democrats (who can’t agree on anything) were able to come together. Bipartisan Congressional hearings were held and legislation was proposed to try and curb the live event ticket monopoly.
Although there has been progress, including an Executive Order signed by President Trump to punish ticket scalpers, much more needs to be done. The secondary ticket market and more importantly their lobbying power, is a multi-billion dollar industry. It holds massive weight, influence and power within Washington DC politics.
Fans just want to be able to enjoy a concert that doesn’t cost more than half of their monthly rent!
A Rock Band Needs to Play the Super Bowl
Super Bowl LXI won’t be held until 2027, but can we please have a rock band play the Halftime Show? The last time a live band performed their own music was in 2019 with Maroon 5.
Since then it’s been a mixture of pop, rap and R&B artists. Recent performers have included Shakira/Jennifer Lopez, The Weeknd, Dr. Dre/Snoop Dogg/Eminem/50 Cent/Mary J. Blige, Rihanna, Usher, Kendrick Lamar and Bad Bunny, who will be performing at Super Bowl LX this coming February.
For the love of God can we please have the Foo Fighters, Green Day, Metallica or wait for it…Oasis? Let’s bring back live guitars and drums to the Super Bowl!
Rough Waters Ahead
In many ways, the 2025 music industry gave a “bleh” feeling. Sure, the live event industry led by LiveNation continued to grow. It made record profits. Streaming platforms became bigger, more pivotal and powerful than ever before. But overall, music felt like it was just there.
Don’t get me wrong, there were still a number of positives within the industry this year. Despite high ticket prices, live touring continues to grow. We also saw the rise of smaller festivals. Pop-up, DIY, fan-focused performances that generated buzz and a viral aspect to them also gained steam. Rock’s resurgence this year proves that music fans desperately want and are willing to show their appreciation for music.
However, with new technology like Artificial Intelligence creating an uneasiness and frankly, unsure road ahead, it’s my ultimate hope that the industry can come together and set some basic standards that will benefit artists and musicians.
It’s easier than ever to create music these days thanks to at-home technology. At the same time, AI is only going to get bigger and more rampant.
If the rest of the system isn’t organized and setup in a structured and economically-sound manner to accommodate them, then unfortunately 2026 may be another rough year for artists. How about we take an initiative and try and not let that happen?
Thoughts? Comments? What do you think needs to change in music in 2026? Tweet me @TheGunzShow.
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‘Gunz’ has been a staple in the music, sports and news industry for over a decade. From his first on-air appearances on MTV and FUSE television as a teenager to broadcasting nationally with Don Imus, to most recently hosting the Vans Warped Tour on Amazon Music, he has become one of the industry’s most insightful and trusted voices. As host of idobi Radio’s ‘The Gunz Show’ (80K+ Weekly Listeners) for the last fifteen years, Gunz has built a reputation for Breaking Bands and Breaking News, including notable debut interviews from bands such as Twenty One Pilots, Cobra Starship, fun., and viral interviews with artists such as Machine Gun Kelly, All Time Low and The All American Rejects. Whether it’s hosting red carpets or exclusive sit-downs with media’s biggest names from Clive Davis to Dana White, Gunz answers not only “What” is happening, but more importantly – “Why?” for programmers, publicists, artists, entertainers and fans alike.
