2025 was wild. Is the music business finally changing for good?
In this solo edition of Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle, I break 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
And much more!
You can hear it at bobbyoinnercircle.com, or via Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, Mixcloud, Spotify, Deezer, TuneIn Radio, or RadioPublic.
Also, a video version of this podcast is now available on YouTube as well.
