How Does Technology Continue to Change Music?

As we move through the 2020’s, technology continues to advance at break-neck speed. It has had a massive impact on all our lives, from what we do in the home, to how we conduct our work, and how we enjoy ourselves socially. One area that technology continues to alter significantly is the music industry. Not only how music is made, but also how it is consumed. 

It’s increasingly rare now for music fans to hear a new release on the radio, decide they enjoy it, and then walk down to a store to buy the single or album. Even though Montreal is lucky enough to have some amazing record stores, such as Phonopolis which is located in Mile End, it is a grim reality that they just aren’t as popular as in previous decades. 

So, how does technology continue to change music? Read on to find out. 

Virtual is Reality

Over the last couple years, with masses of people being unable to attend gigs both here in Montreal and throughout the world, there has been a rapid rise in the number of virtual shows being played. This is where someone will watch a live video of a musical performance that is being streamed online to whoever buys a ticket for the event. 

Now that things, hopefully, get more back to normal, it seems that virtual gigs are here to stay. This is because, even though it may lack the full sensations of being amongst a joyous crowd, it allows users who are unable to attend the actual gig, to catch their favourite musicians, when they previously would have had no chance to do so. This also allows the performers to add to their income, as online tickets will be sold, as well as those for the gate. 

Stream On 

It used to be the norm for everyone to have physical copies of their beloved singles and albums taking up space in their rooms. Think back to the CD towers that stood proud or the cases of tapes stashed under beds. Nowadays though, physical media has almost gone the way of the Dodo. That’s not to say that there aren’t keen vinyl collectors keeping it alive, and hats off to them, but in the main, physical media is nowhere to be seen. 

That’s because most people now listen to music through online streaming services. The biggest music streaming service in the world is Spotify, which has a staggering 365 million users, and 158 million subscribers, who pay a monthly fee to listen without any adverts. That’s more than double the amount of subscribers that the next biggest music streaming service has, which is Apple Music, with 68 million. 

A positive of this is that we, as consumers, have so much music available at our fingertips. If you can think of a band or pop star from throughout history, then chances are that their discography will be available to play in its entirety. This can also be a negative though, as it’s then harder for new music to be heard above the crowd. With so much music on offer, it’s increasingly hard for smaller musicians to get noticed in a saturated market, unless they have the backing of a major label.

The Blockchain

Cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin, are slowly moving from the outer circles of technological experts, into the mainstream. They can now be used to purchase many things, from real estate, to supercars, to video games from Microsoft. There’s even now Bitcoin casinos available for those who  enjoy gambling. Websites, such as Vegas Slots Online, have embraced the technology and work hard to deliver to you a casino that caters to your tastes. They also offer guides to Bitcoin casinos that take you through all the necessary steps, so you don’t have to worry about a thing.

Cryptocurrencies are also starting to enter the music industry. Lots of musicians, such as Lupe Fiasco and RAC, have come out in support of using them to pay their royalties. This is because it is an instantaneous way for the artist to receive their payment, without them having to wait days for banks to clear it. It seems that within the next few years, there will be a whole bunch of recording artists signing contracts featuring cryptocurrencies.