Like i can't imagine there being another evolution of music after Vinly's, Cassettes ,CD'S and streaming . Like what could they possibly invent next? Embedding the music directly into your brain ? For me streaming feels like the final form of consuming music ,just getting everything on demand whenever you want

I think about this a lot and I'd say yes.

I don't see how music consumption (media consumption in general) could become even more technologically advanced than streaming?

If it progresses to something else, it would probably be something our brains can't even comprehend now.

Yes, I don't think there would be something that replace streaming just like that. Back in the 80's there was only 2 ways of listen music (Radio or buying CDs).

Now, you can listen everything you want but I can see the industry changing a lot like I wouldn't be surprised if in the future there is no more Free Music like YouTube or how life is going to change the way we listen music (like happened in 2020 during/after pandemic).

Streaming in our robotic implants ala cyberpunk will be still streaming so i fear it's the ultimate form!

Every step in the evolution of music consumption (vinyls > CDs and cassettes > digital downloads > streaming) happened because there's was a constant need to make music as accessible as possible and I think that with streaming, it has reached its final form... for now (?).

Down the line concert experiences, music videos and performances will be replaced with VR and then when we eventually can perceive different planes of reality at the same time, streaming will be replaced with actual VR immersion into music

Next one is holograms of your fave singing in your living room

my feeling is that the way streaming works could change, like, the function of it seems set (tho ofc we'd have said that about vinyl, cds, files etc but whatever) but the business model sucks ass: spotify never makes a profit, the artists never make any money, that's where it's vulnerable to falling over

but i've got no idea what the aftermath of that looks like? possibly a different version of streaming that's more sustainable but less comprehensive for the consumer, a bit more like a netflix model and then maybe more hybrid with digital sales cos people will end up having to buy more of the music that they don't want to lose

Streaming will change massively with AI, and there will come a time where it will lose its prevalence because of AI completely flooding the market.

We are sure to see a return to physical media to counter the exponential growth of AI and it's impact on the industry.

as streaming matured we saw the resurgence of other formats such as vinyl, I think that will continue to be the case and people will use different formats for different things

with AI taking over everything i have a feeling digital downloads might make a comeback in the future but idk

The MPGS who debuted in the 00's and 10's have the biggest advantage now to keep adding to their total sales imo.

They benefitted from their debut being in the physical and iTunes sales era. They were also young enough to make the transition (whether they were like Rihanna and were early, or took slightly longer) to streaming as an established artist to make new hits on top of their old ones, which artists from 80/90s couldn't do nor were there hits as recent to get a bigger numbers.

Now, the nostalgia boom is currently sustaining their pop hits from 20 years ago to a massive degree, and TikTok continuing to expose their older catalogue to Gen Z.

Maybe what will change is how we are consuming media. Surely we'll get bored of sequels and music from the 2000's soon

Edited August 12Aug 12 by Mr. Stratus

At every iteration of music consumption, one could imagine a more accessible version. Even in the truly old days of music, people could IMAGINE being able to listen to all music on-demand 24/7. Streaming has finally fully realized that goal. I think it will be around for a very long time and, if something replaces it, it will probably only be if humans start integrating technology with our anatomy.

Edited August 12Aug 12 by DevilsRollTheDice

Nothing is forever.

I believe streaming is musics final form. Maybe in the future it will become more fair and democratic because as of now it's heavily rigged in favor of bigger artists.

1 hour ago, gwen stacy said:

Yes, I don't think there would be something that replace streaming just like that. Back in the 80's there was only 2 ways of listen music (Radio or buying CDs).

Now, you can listen everything you want but I can see the industry changing a lot like I wouldn't be surprised if in the future there is no more Free Music like YouTube or how life is going to change the way we listen music (like happened in 2020 during/after pandemic).

There were more widely used formats in the 80s than there are today, and CD was not one of them until the late 80s.

Edited August 12Aug 12 by Mr. Mendes

Going back to analog devices once AI takes over and we're all hiding in the sewers.

It seems like that, but there may be a swing back to traditional physical media. Think about the backlash to Playstation announcing all digital. People may want to own media again.

Yes, streaming and even owning digital is the most realistic outcome.

There's no point of going back to physicals.

Yes

But what I love about Kpop they still give listeners the joy of owning the copy too as well be on digital it's why they always put posters, photos cards, keyrings in them to keep the physical side of owning music.

4 hours ago, CallumDavies said:

as streaming matured we saw the resurgence of other formats such as vinyl, I think that will continue to be the case and people will use different formats for different things

This. Ppl seek out physical forms of music and that will continue imo.

5 hours ago, Stuart said:

Every step in the evolution of music consumption (vinyls > CDs and cassettes > digital downloads > streaming) happened because there's was a constant need to make music as accessible as possible and I think that with streaming, it has reached its final form... for now (?).

Do you know how many times that sentiment was prob expressed about literally everything? There is always a next evolution

It's the final form but it's funny bc it existed even before iTunes took over. It's weird that it didn't take off in the early 00s.

5 hours ago, makeawish said:

my feeling is that the way streaming works could change, like, the function of it seems set (tho ofc we'd have said that about vinyl, cds, files etc but whatever) but the business model sucks ass: spotify never makes a profit, the artists never make any money, that's where it's vulnerable to falling over

but i've got no idea what the aftermath of that looks like? possibly a different version of streaming that's more sustainable but less comprehensive for the consumer, a bit more like a netflix model and then maybe more hybrid with digital sales cos people will end up having to buy more of the music that they don't want to lose

Amen. The business model will change. Just as physical media evolved so too will digital and now streaming. The current business model is a total house of cards tho.

Kinda. Even if it evolves to brain chips, VR etc. it would still be streaming. Even buying it online would still be technically streaming.

The only thing would be going back to physical.

Edited August 13Aug 13 by 808ss