A Year In Review - The Music Industry In 2025 | Bobby Owsinski's Inner Circle Ep. 604

2025 was wild. Is the music business finally changing for good?

In this solo edition of Bobby Owsinski's Inner Circle, Bobby breaks down the most important developments across music, audio, and tech in 2025. From AI-generated hits to Spotify insiders cashing out, this episode is packed with sharp insights that every music creator, producer, or business insider needs to hear. Whether you're trying to keep up or stay ahead, this annual year-in-review will leave you better informed and ready to thrive in 2026.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• AI-generated artists like Velvet Sundown gained massive traction - before the truth unraveled
• Major labels settled lawsuits with AI platforms instead of protecting artists
• Streaming growth has stalled, and Spotify execs are quietly cashing out
• Gen Z is consuming less music, with a shift toward video platforms like YouTube Shorts
• Copyright rulings now require human authorship to qualify for protection
• Touring is becoming unaffordable for 82% of independent artists
• Live venues face financial collapse, despite the boom in live music revenue
• New immersive audio format “Eclipse” launches from Samsung and Google
• The DAW Project exchange format could finally fix cross-platform session sharing
• TikTok’s fate remains uncertain, and its music influence is fading fast

BEST MOMENTS

00:01:13. “This was a big year for AI and especially AI music.”
00:02:00. “We’re trying to show the flaws in the streaming distribution system.”
00:03:00. “It underscores the importance of authenticity.”
00:04:00. “They settled - because they want more money in their pockets.”
00:07:07. “If there’s no human author, there is no copyright.”
00:08:06. “You are now an AI music designer.”
00:10:29. “Now your mailing list and brand matter more than SEO.”
00:13:05. “Daniel Ek is a founder of a European AI military company.”
00:21:01. “The state of live music is indeed fragile.”

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Thank you for tuning in to Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, the podcast that takes you deep inside the music industry. Each week, Bobby shares insights, news, analysis, and conversations with the movers and shakers shaping today’s music world.

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