Music Industry Analysis

Music Biz curates a feed of music industry news articles, business statistics and trend analysis from a variety of media outlets, filtering out the noise to deliver you the actionable insights you need to succeed. Starting in 2024, these articles will be accessible exclusively from Music Biz’s social media feeds.

June 19, 2018 – As Boomer Musicians Retire From Touring, Concert Industry Faces Uncertain Future

In the same week earlier this year, three of the biggest touring acts in the music industry – Elton John, Neil Diamond and Rush – announced farewell tours or retirements. The onslaught of announcements seemed to usher in what promoters have been dreading for years: the end of the Classic-Rock era.... Read More

June 14, 2018 – Why The Music Industry Should Treasure Its Vinyl and CD Superfans

The following Music Business Worldwide blog comes from Music Biz’s close partner Kim Bayley, CEO of the UK’s Entertainment Retailers Association (ERA). ERA recently published statistics which show that ‘Superfans’ of CD and vinyl – ie. those spending £400 or more a year on either format – shelled out £180m on physical music last year, equivalent to 15% of the UK’s total music retail market… including streaming. Click here to read.... Read More

May 30, 2018 – Drake surpasses Elvis Presley with 26th Top 10 single, K-Pop makes first-ever appearance in Top 10: Comment from Music Biz President James Donio

James Donio, President of the Music Business Association (Music Biz), commented on this week’s sales numbers issued by Nielsen (published by Billboard – albumssingles) and BuzzAngle Music (published by HITS Daily Double – albums). “BTS made a historic mark for the K-Pop world this week with Love Yourself: Tear. The album is the first of the genre to hit #1 on the Nielsen and BuzzAngle Music charts,... Read More

May 29, 2018 – What Do Gen Z Shoppers Really Want?

“What do Gen Z shoppers really want,” the third and final installment of a global study co-sponsored by the IBM Institute of Business Value and the National Retail Federation, examines what this youngest generation considers to be “retail essentials” as well as what delights and engages them. The study, based on a global survey of 15,600 Gen Zers between the ages of 13 and 21, explores Gen Z’s expectations for the retail environment, their usage and attitudes toward technology and what customization means for them.... Read More

May 24, 2018 – 27% of U.S. Broadband Households Own At Least One Smart Speaker

Parks Associates’ new report “Global Connected Living Outlook: Expanding IoT Momentum” reports 27% of U.S. broadband households reported owning at least one smart speaker. “Smart speakers with personal assistants represent the early stages of innovations that use AI elements to expand the user experience,” said Jennifer Kent, Director, Research Quality & Product Development, Parks Associates. “They have proven very successful and are part of the evolution in the connected home from a collection of standalone devices to a unified experience with personalized and coordinated scenes.” Click here to read more.... Read More

May 23, 2018 – U.S. Consumers Will Buy More Than 485 Million Connected Devices In 2021

Parks Associates released new research estimates today at CONNECTIONS™ that U.S. consumers will purchase more than 485 million connected consumer devices in 2021, including smart home, connected health, mobile, and connected entertainment products. By 2022, sales will exceed 520 million units. Click here to read more.... Read More

May 21, 2018 – Post Malone scores longest #1 streak of 2018, Hip-Hop dominates singles charts: Comment from Music Biz President James Donio

James Donio, President of the Music Business Association (Music Biz), commented on this week’s sales numbers issued by Nielsen (published by Billboard – albumssingles) and BuzzAngle Music (published by HITS Daily Double – albumssingles). “Post Malone’s beerbongs & bentleys scored the longest streak at #1 since Taylor Swift’s reputation this week, with the Rapper moving over 147,000 album equivalent units to spend his third straight week atop the Nielsen and BuzzAngle Music charts.... Read More

May 14, 2018 – Post Malone leads album sales, Childish Gambino scores first #1 song: Comment from Music Biz President James Donio

James Donio, President of the Music Business Association (Music Biz), commented on this week’s sales numbers issued by Nielsen (published by Billboard – albumssingles) and BuzzAngle Music (published by HITS Daily Double – albums). “Post Malone spends a second week at #1 on the Nielsen and BuzzAngle Music charts with his album beerbongs & bentleys, which moved over 192,000 album equivalent units. It’s the first non-soundtrack album to reign for multiple weeks this year and only the third overall,... Read More

May 1, 2018 – Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Greatest Hits’ on Red Vinyl Leads Biggest Record Store Day Yet

Record Store Day once again powered historic sales numbers for vinyl albums and singles in the U.S., according to Nielsen Music. The 11th annual festivities, staged on April 21, helped yield a whopping 733,000 vinyl albums sold in the week ending April 26 — a record for Record Store Day week, and the third-largest weekly sum for vinyl albums since Nielsen Music began tracking sales in 1991. Further, of that sum, 580,000 vinyl albums were sold at independent retailers —... Read More

April 30, 2018 – J. Cole scores best sales week of 2018, sets Hot 100 record: Comment from Music Biz President James Donio

James Donio, President of the Music Business Association (Music Biz), commented on this week’s sales numbers issued by Nielsen (published by Billboard – albumssingles) and BuzzAngle Music (published by HITS Daily Double – albums). “J. Cole scored another major victory for Hip-Hop this week, moving over 394,000 album equivalent units of his new record KOD on the Nielsen and BuzzAngle Music charts to notch the best sales week of 2018 thus far.... Read More