Predictions for the Future of Music

Using identified music trends and observations, I’ve created a theoretical musical future for the next five decades.  One crucial point to keep in mind is that music, like all other parts of our culture, can be heavily influenced by events.  (Gay rights continues to be a hot topic.  It has been slowly slipping into the music world, but has yet to breach the list.)  I can’t particularly account for those instances.  I can, however, take some educated and entertaining guesses.

2022

More synthetic sounds are beginning to appear in music as it becomes easier for individuals to create and publicly display their music, furthering need for catchy, memorable, and distinct tunes.  In this category, we also have auto-tuning, which has become fairly common.

Due to the increase of profane lyrics, songs are frequently recorded in both “clean” and “explicit” versions.

Music has adapted a strong focus towards working one’s way to the top and the idea of domination.  This is perhaps in defiance to the continuing economic crisis.

In 2012, some artists featured another artist in their song.  Here, entire bands feature with one another in a single song.  The dual-band performance sounds like a battle of the bands, but with only one meaning/story and short parts.  Popular combinations are bands of different genres with different main instruments, which sound somewhat like a revamped orchestra.

2032

Love songs will usually mention physical attributes.  Relationships are portrayed as short, intense, and, in some opinions, cheapened.

“Beat competition,” the musical style created by two opposing beats bouncing off of each other as if in a musical battle (possibly based on the feel of dual-band performances), is becoming frequent.  This creates a constantly alternating style of sound in a single song.  Songs that use this usually limit themselves to three different beats so as not to confuse their listeners as to which song it is, yet simultaneously appeal to as many people as possible.

Superfluous messages are pushed, encouraging teens to be materialistic.

At least one top hit is from a television show, either fictional or reality.

2042

“Beat competition” is out of style.  While alternating tunes are still used, there is frequently an overarching beat, which carries through most of the song.

Most songs include eight to twelve instruments.  Musical engineering has made it possible to have more instrument sounds playing with fewer band members.

At least one top song features words from more than one language.

2052

The tops songs are very upbeat, even when discussing very distressing matters.

Over half of the Top 10 originated on the internet.

“Internet bands” are common.  Members typically audition over the internet, create a group together, and practice in real-time over video chat.  Oftentimes, the first time a group will meet in person is in planning their first concert

The average lifespan of a band is two years.

An estimated 30% of songs have single-musician creators and contributors.  That is to say that they are a “one man band.”

2062

This is the “One-Hit-Wonder” time frame.  Thanks to their being such a variety of artists and such short-lived bands, the general musical landscape has few stable artists that produce more than one popular song.  60% of people, when asked, do not have a favorite band/artist.  Approximately 5% of the population keeps a favorite band for more than a month.

Fifteen-instrument songs are very popular, though very few of those instruments are played live.  Most are computer-generated.

Live concerts are scarce.  Even those tend to have between six and twelve artists/bands “performing.”  Musical performances are less of a live playing and more of an attractively designed and choreographed show wherein the titled artist/band makes a visual appearance.

Thus my theories end.  Remember that these are based on theoretical cultural movement and observed musical trends.  This material is intended for entertainment, discussion, and controversial value.  You are entitled to your own views.  However, if any of this does come true, I will definitely be raising a glass.