From shifts at the top of the major companies to big debates about AI, remuneration and the independent sector, it has been an incredibly busy 12 months. And that's before you even consider Oasis' comeback, global breakthroughs and the return of Taylor Swift, as well as a bonanza year for live music. Here, we quiz a host of industry figures about how they saw 2025, including Ian McAndrew, Rebecca Allen, Colin Batsa, Amber Davis, Isabel Garvey and more.
IAN McANDREW
Wildlife Entertainment
In this, the year you won the Strat at the Music Week Awards, what did you learn about the art of management?
“This year’s been great for music and an abundance of stand-out live shows, but the main lesson I took from 2025 is that the mental health and welfare of artists, road crew and industry professionals operating in our pressurised and volatile business demand greater acknowledgement and support. Everyone has different tolerances. Recognising them and making strategies to accommodate them is essential.”
On stage, you announced a new War Child album, can you update us on its progress since then?
“??No child should ever experience war, but tragically today more children are exposed to the trauma and violence of brutal conflict than ever. Following the Music Week Awards, the response to the upcoming Help album for War Child has been overwhelmingly positive. So many incredible artists have freely given their time and creativity to donate recordings for this special album. James Ford, Abbey Road, the wonderful team at Beggars and many others have voluntarily provided their services and devoted their time and skills to help bring this album to life. Announcement details will follow soon, so watch this space.”
What was your track of 2025?
“Love Takes Miles by Cameron Winter. I really love his Heavy Metal album and this year’s offering from his band, Geese. His baritone voice and careful words offer hope and charming introspection.”
And your favourite album?
“Self Titled, Kae Tempest’s best work yet. I’m not sure there is anyone who conveys powerful truths in such a courageous, emotive but non-judgemental way. The sense of liberation is palpable.”
REBECCA ALLEN
Universal Music Group UK Audience & Media Division
What’s been the biggest lesson for you since starting Universal Music Group UK’s AMS department?
“I learned that transformation doesn’t belong to any one stage of the journey – it’s available to anyone willing to evolve.”
How have you changed as an exec?
“This year has hugely reshaped me. I’ve opened myself up to new people, new ways of working, new artists, and new opportunities. Even after more than 25 years in this industry, I’ve found a deeper connection to the work, to the artists we champion, and a fresher way of seeing it all. And because of that, I feel more creatively alive and energised than ever.”
What was your track and album of 2025?
“Sam Fender and Olivia Dean’s Rein Me In has been on repeat since the summer. A vocal duo I never knew I needed and now can’t live without. For album, Taylor Swift – The Life Of A Showgirl (above). I’m a huge Swiftie, and now I am living my best Showgirl life. Everything Taylor does raises the bar for how I aspire to work. There is excellence, and then there is Taylor.”
COLIN BATSA
EGA Distro
What’s your most unexpected discovery of the past year?
“An artist by the name of Catch who is about to redefine the music industry.”
And your proudest achievement of the year?
“The growth of my team. We have moved into publishing, we have a flourishing tech business called EGA Tech and we have expanded into France.”
What was your track of 2025?
“Asco & Young Adz – High End Fashion. This is a great hip-hop song and I’m a massive fan of Young Adz’s rapping.”
And your favourite album?
“Marnz Malone – Sabr. A classic UK hip-hop album.”
PIETER VAN RIJN
Downtown Music
How did Downtown move forward in 2025, amidst a time of change and such a busy news cycle?
“There was a lot of interest and discussion around the proposed acquisition of Downtown by Virgin. I cannot be prouder of my Downtown colleagues who continued to focus on adding value to our clients. And I am equally grateful for the trust those clients continue to place in us. In 2025, we continued to outperform market growth, with success in all our business lines, and focused on markets in Latin America and Asia. We launched new services in marketing, audiovisual and end-to-end payments and plan more in 2026. We had some major release success with our clients representing artists such as Neton Vega, Victor Mendivil, Zerb, Cash Cobain, Røry and more. Also, our songwriters, artists and businesses had over 100 nominations at the 2026 Grammys and 20 wins at the 2025 Latin Grammys.”
Having been at the company for a while now, what can you say about what makes it so special?
“The people. This was a year where our resolve was tested. I am amazed at the vigilance, passion and professionalism of the team. I feel grateful to be surrounded by people who place so much joy in their work.”
What was your track and album of 2025?
“My favourite track is Where Is My Husband! by Raye: such a powerful song and production. And my favourite albums were Lux by Rosalía and Returning To Myself by Brandi Carlile.”
AMBER DAVIS
Warner Chappell Music UK
Are songwriters in a better place at the end of 2025 than they were at the start?
“Yes. There’s still a way to go, but the conversation around songwriter treatment has really shifted. We’re finally seeing tangible progress, from discussions around per diems for songwriters in sessions, to a broader awareness of fair compensation and recognition. Raye being acknowledged at the Ivors Honours was such a stand-out moment, not just for her artistry, but for her advocacy. She’s become a symbol of what can happen when songwriters are empowered to take control of their craft and careers.”
What was your favourite track of 2025?
“I’m going to have to cheat and say two songs: Moliy – Shake It To The Max (Fly) and Raye’s Where Is My Husband!. They’re both vibrant, confident and completely addictive. They feel fresh, global and joyfully unapologetic, the type of songs that instantly lift your mood but still have real depth in their production and delivery.”
And your favourite album?
“Celeste’s Woman Of Faces. She continues to prove she’s one of the most soulful and timeless voices in modern music. The album is an evolution: intimate yet grand, classic but current. Her songwriting is exquisite; every track carries emotional weight. A record that reminds you of the lasting power of pure artistry.”
MIKE GREEK
CAA
What was the most common issue your acts faced in 2025?
“In the live world, the biggest challenge was around artist touring expenses. Costs continue to go up and shows are getting bigger and bigger.”
Are we in a better place in terms of protecting grassroots venues in the UK than we were 12 months ago?
“Some progress has been made, but there is still a long way to go to keep a viable UK scene going.”
What was your track of 2025?
“Nice To Meet You by Myles Smith. The song resonated with the whole family.”
And your favourite album?
“Sam Fender – People Watching. Great storytelling.”
ISABEL GARVEY
Warner Music UK
Can you share your favourite thing about the industry in 2025?
“For Warner to have a massive presence in the singles chart throughout 2025 – with some weeks as many as six or seven songs in the Top 10 – thanks to tracks from artists including Alex Warren, Ravyn Lenae, Benson Boone, Ed Sheeran, Sombr and more. It was just such a reward for a business that’s been working so hard on new acts and new music.”
What was your favourite track and album of 2025?
“Alex Warren’s Ordinary. I just think it’s an extraordinary song. And I’m going with Sam Fender’s People Watching, with special mention for Olivia Dean’s The Art Of Loving, which I’m loving, too.”
SHERYL NWOSU
The Black Music Coalition
What’s your message to the business at the end of 2025?
“I’ve been saying the same thing since 2021 or 2022: that equality of access and opportunity, creating diverse and inclusive workspaces should not be difficult to do. The industry is averse to risk and drastic change in many ways, but the first step towards any change really does need to be an almost radical desire to make it. So, keep the conversations going. To the industry leaders I’d say, whatever you are doing, turbo charge it! We are here to assist and advise.”
How do you feel about the new executive talent pipeline this year?
“Each year, when we start the [BMC] Excellence Honourees process I get a chance to go through all the nominees and there has not been a year yet where I haven’t been impressed! The names we get are people who most of the time have been working seemingly unnoticed, but when you track what they’ve done it’s so impressive. Whether through necessity or ambition, they aren’t afraid to [put] themselves out as being multi-talented or multi-hyphenates, they’re not restricting themselves to any one lane and are embracing the title ‘creative’, both in craft and commercially.”
What was your favourite track and album of 2025 and why?
“Luther by Kendrick Lamar & SZA. Exceptional sampling, the intro, the vibe and having two of my favourites on one track. And, although it was not a new album, SZA’s deluxe update of SOS, Lana, gave me new music and a perfect excuse to revisit the album.”
NICKIE OWEN
Universal Music Group UK
After global success stories from UK acts this year, how do you think the UK industry is perceived in other markets?
“The UK is once again a global leader in music. Artists such as Elton John, Olivia Dean and Lola Young have made and released music that has touched the world and gained huge commercial success, proving the world’s appetite for UK talent is stronger than ever before.”
Which overseas market did you have your eye on most this year?
“We focused on making a strong impact in the US and the recent Grammy nominations show that UK talent is doing just that. Whilst we are really excited for the opportunities in emerging markets, our priority this year was ensuring that UK-signed talent shone on the world’s biggest stage.”
What was your track of 2025?
“Wolf Alice’s The Sofa. I’ve always been a big fan and this song is lyrically perfect and truly epic.”
And your favourite album?
“Wolf Alice – The Clearing. I love how it feels so fresh, yet is still completely the essence of the band. It takes you on a journey and the melodies stick in my head for days. I think it’s a beautifully crafted piece of work.”
LUCY DICKINS
WME
How is UK talent performing on the global stage at a time of intense competition?
"The UK music industry remains a heavyweight globally. Many UK artists continue to build meaningful international audiences, and British music remains a major export and cultural export driver. However, the world is more crowded – in genres, the languages and streaming ecosystems – and UK artists face fiercer competition than before."
What was your favourite song of the year?
"Messy by Lola Young – as with everything Lola Young, it shows emotional honesty which is deeply relatable."
And your favourite album?
"Lux by Rosalia – the ambition of this record – classical meets pop, the orchestra, multiple languages – is just a huge statement. A very powerful and cinematic piece of art in an era often dominated by singles and streaming playlists is refreshing."
DJ AG
How did your platform impact the industry this year?
“It’s always easier for the public to decide, but I think it’s brought people together and made music more accessible. Artists are able to come and showcase their talent and the public can see some of their favourite acts and discover new ones, all for free. People love seeing legacy acts and acts that are going viral, but they also like to see great performances from emerging talent. The key thing is entertaining the crowd – if you do that, you’ve got a good chance of going viral.”
What was your favourite track and album of 2025?
“Melissa Steel – Over U. It didn’t really get the push it deserved, but it is sick – garage vibes! My album of the year is Central Cee’s Can’t Rush Greatness. Epic and well-crafted.”
SAMANTHA MOY
BBC Radio 6 Music
The station was back to winning ways at the Music Week Awards – how do you reflect on the victory now?
“Thank you, Music Week, it truly is an honour. We always focus on music, its creators and telling their stories, and we are blessed to have exceptional and passionate people creating brilliant programmes. There was a photo taken backstage, where Steve Lamacq is trying to lift Grimmy up; it’s chaotic, full of joy and disbelief, and I’m standing to the side going, ‘Yep, this is 6 Music.’ It makes me ridiculously proud.”
What was your favourite track and album of 2025?
“Rosalía’s dramatic single Berghain, and Self Titled by Kae Tempest.”
NICHAL SETHI
TikTok, SoundOn
What can be learned from the SoundOn story so far?
“It’s hard to say what the industry can learn as we’re uniquely placed as one of the only platforms that works directly with the artist whose music we distribute. With that comes experience and understanding of the platform, which so happens to be number one for artists to promote their music on. With certain tools at our disposal directly on TikTok, we know the best way to promote the artists’ music on there, while making sure it translates to other platforms, developing the artists’ careers far beyond TikTok.”
Who was your No.1 SoundOn success story from this year?
“There’s been a lot, including chart successes with the likes of Denon Reed, Ely Oaks, Rizzle Kicks and more, but WizTheMC’s Show Me Love has to top them all. The fact that we were able to help a South African-German artist to chart in the UK ahead of Ed Sheeran, and also go platinum, shows that we are able to transcend borders and make quality music reach the right audiences globally.”
What was your favourite track and album of 2025?
“Killowen – Pick Your Poison, it’s a great new take on the classic Bell Biv DeVoe track Poison. Nxdia’s I Promise No One’s Watching was my favourite album. Such a talent.”
JADE RICHARDSON
Warner Records
As the winner of the Music Champion honour at the Women In Music Awards, what example do you hope you’ve set for the next generation?
“Become your own blueprint if there isn’t one. Follow your own intuition: it’s trying to guide you towards your purpose, you just need to listen.”
You’ve worked with artists for years now – what do you think they needed in terms of support in 2025 in particular?
“To be trusted to be their authentic self, to be encouraged to follow their intuition and given the support to make the best art of their lives.”
Can you tell us your favourite track of 2025?
“A few highlights came from releasing my own roster’s music and seeing the public lock in, like PinkPantheress’ Illegal going viral and Fancy Some More, which unexpectedly led to 21+ remixes. Other stand-outs include Sasha Keable’s Move It Along (feat. Leon Thomas) and the EP Act Right, Deed0t’s Stand & Lean (feat. Klyrae) and his UK Rap Daily freestyle, Kwengface’s return with Interplanetary Criminal & Flowdan on Dot Dot, and hearing Kano alongside Dave on Chapter 16, which is an instant classic.”
And how about your favourite album of the year?
“Jim Legxacy – Black British Music (2025). I love how Jim is taking R&B and flipping it on its head. He’s doing something fresh and unique, while honouring the influences that made him who he is. The creative celebrates both past and present Black Britain, and I’m proud that it represents me and our community.”
SAM POTTS
AWAL
Looking back, what did AWAL do in 2025 that made you proudest?
“Seeing the depth of creativity and entrepreneurialism from our team, working across a range of uncompromising independent artists all with a different story to tell. The culture in this group of people is unmatched: the energy in the room is as good on Monday morning as it is at the end of the week.”
How do you view the landscape for new domestic acts right now?
“The UK is and will remain a place where incredible art is launched on to the world stage, as long as we keep investing in artists with a long-term view. In a world of abundance, a focus on the value that scarcity can bring to a campaign is important.”
What was your track and LP of 2025?
“Lucy Rose – Pale Blue Eyes. My favourite record of hers by far. My album of the year was CMAT’s. There isn’t another album that bangs like Euro-Country.”
ALT BLK ERA
Artist
What do you want to say to the music industry right now?
Nyrobi Beckett-Messam: “Our sound and our look don’t always fit the mould, but this year has shown us that unconventional artistry can move forward with momentum. We’ve worked our way into rooms with industry professionals who see beyond convention, and we’ve had the honour of sharing stages and platforms with artists and leaders who value creativity over conformity. Our message to the industry is: keep championing artists who live outside the box.”
What was your favourite track and album of the year?
NB-M: “Trinkets by Ashnikko. I love the risks she takes.”
Chaya Beckett-Messam: “Just For Fun by Beyoncé and Willie Jones. Our album of the year is Pendulum’s Inertia. We supported them on tour and got to see them bring the album to life. They are incredible! We’ve learned so much about ourselves, too, and grew massively as touring artists in the process.”
ALISTAIR NORBURY
BMG
You’ve had one of the most talked-about albums of 2025 with new signing Lily Allen – what’s the experience been like so far as you build up to its physical release?
“Lily’s album has created a real cultural moment for BMG. It is a project that has connected deeply with audiences and demonstrated what’s possible when artist vision and label collaboration truly align.”
Also this year, BMG marked 50 years of Motörhead with the Killed By Deaf tribute album – how did that project help to shine a light on their legacy?
“Motörhead fans already knew the band changed rock forever and Killed By Deaf reminded everyone else. Hearing today’s artists tear into those songs with fresh energy showed how timeless Motörhead’s sound is, and how their ‘louder than everyone else’ ethos still defines heavy music.”
What was your track of 2025?
“Achilles by The Divine Comedy for its melancholy lyrics and beautifully constructed melody.”
And your favourite album?
“Suede’s Antidepressants – visceral power, production and performance.”
BROOKE SALISBURY
Sony Music UK
Sony won the International Marketing category at the Music Week Awards in May. How have your campaigns evolved since?
“The ingredients still feel the same: incredible music propelled by fans globally. We use many different tricks to spark noise and excitement online now, and that’s where the evolution is, but you still need the former to deliver a brilliant campaign.”
Is there a territory you’re most excited about at the moment?
“It’s all about the global view and the sum of all parts for me.”
What was your favourite track and album of 2025?
“Dave & Tems’ Raindance was a beautiful song, like a big hug, and Rosalía’s Lux… wow!”
LIZZIE DICKSON
YouTube
Can you name the best case study of a UK act using YouTube for a campaign this year?
“It’s been amazing to see so many artists investing in long-form video this year. Fred Again.., Lola Young, Odeal and Oasis have all been stand-out examples of artists using video for deeper storytelling and fan connection.”
What did you learn about the next generation of industry talent in 2025?
“From our partnership with the MMF on the Accelerator Programme, it’s clear that the next generation is more entrepreneurial, purpose-driven and globally-minded than ever. It’s amazing to see how collaborative they are with one another. I think they understand data, creativity and culture equally well.”
What was your track of 2025?
“Berghain by Rosalía – the music video is just incredible.”
And your favourite album?
“Olivia Dean’s The Art Of Loving: soulful pop perfection.”
JIM KING
AEG Presents UK
What is the biggest lesson you took from the festival circuit this year?
“The tired question, ‘Where are the future stadium headliners?’ has been answered more strongly than ever. Olivia Rodrigo, Sabrina Carpenter, Noah Kahan, Zach Bryan, Charli XCX, Raye and so many others have shown the industry that the future is already here.”
And what was your top festival set of 2025?
“Neil Young at BST was the best set I’ve ever seen him play, and Olivia and Sabrina both crushed it. But Zach Bryan set the world on fire for me. Unlike so many other headliners who arrive at Hyde Park after huge arena runs, BST was his first UK show since Islington Assembly Hall [in 2023]. It was completely engaging and his connection with his fans is so powerful. His band are also incredible and brought his storytelling to life. It was as if they played there every week!”
What was your favourite song of 2025?
“Messy by Lola Young. A beautiful pop song.”
And your favourite album?
“Olivia Dean’s The Art Of Loving stood out.”
INES DUNN
Songwriter
What was the biggest win for songwriters this year?
“Per diems! The Ivors Academy has worked endlessly to raise the threshold for what the basic living standards are for songwriters everywhere. It’s a bare minimum essential that is deeply overdue, but it’s an incredible step towards making sure songwriters can afford to be songwriters.”
When you won at the Women In Music Awards, you said “songwriters are the backbone of the industry”. Are enough people aware of that?
“Yes! I think people are aware, whether they like to admit it or not. It’s an undeniable truth. The more we recognise the value that songwriters bring to the table, and the more we fairly compensate that value, everyone will win bigger.”
What was your favourite track of 2025?
“Dopamine by Robyn. I just think she’s one of the greatest to ever do it, I’m so happy she’s back.”
And your favourite album?
“It’s not so much an album as a project, but Whale Songz Vol.1 by Annika Bennett & Olivia Barton. I adore it.”
KIM BAYLEY
ERA
How did Record Store Day grow this year?
“Two trends characterise its growth. The first is the broadening of the audience to become much younger and more diverse. The second has been the broadening of activities around the day itself – sponsorships, competitions, charity fundraisers, commemorative merchandise, gigs, the lot. It’s a cultural phenomenon, not just a day for collectors.”
ERA is now expanding its membership – what’s the thinking behind that?
“Where once retailers were very much the last link in the chain between artist and fan, these days our DSP members, in particular, have a central role. Likewise, with the increasing numbers of in- and out-stores they do, physical retailers too are shaping the business and helping build artists’ careers as never before. With that and the services ERA now offers, like our biannual consumer tracking study, it makes sense to embrace a broader membership.”
What track and album stood out to you in 2025?
“Jack Savoretti’s Do It For Love and Morgan Wallen’s I’m The Problem.”
SAT BISLA
MUSEXPO
What were your main takeaways on A&R following this year’s 25th anniversary edition of MUSEXPO?
“MUSEXPO continues to be at the forefront of global music industry changes, and we’re seeing a shift towards more artist-centric development focused on authenticity, connectivity and impact, not just social media and streaming moments. Catalogue continues to be a main revenue driver, so creating long-term meaningful songs, and artist careers, are pivotal to the health of A&R.”
Earlier this year, you told us “India is becoming a formidable force” in the industry. What were the key headlines in that area for you during 2025?
“Arijit Singh became the most-followed artist on Spotify globally. Diljit Dosanjh, Karan Aujla, Neha Kakkar, Shubh, Badshah, Satinder Sartaaj and countless others are not only generating streaming, viewing and social media engagement, but also selling out stadiums around the world. The amount of Indian artists and songwriters signing global deals outside of India in the past 12 months alone is unprecedented.”
What was your favourite track and album of 2025?
“Good Neighbours’ debut album, Blue Sky Mentality, and their single People Need People.”
JACK SAUNDERS
BBC Radio 1
What did winning the Music Week Award for Radio Show mean to you?
“It was wonderful to feel the recognition of the industry and that what we were doing meant something. It only motivated me and the team to push on, and think bigger about how we can aid the promotion of the world’s best talent.”
Where should the industry have been looking to find the best new music in 2025?
“They should have been focusing on live gigs, specifically the appetite inside venues. There is a return to live music and if the crowd are feral, or at least engaged, there is something good going on.”
What was your favourite track and album of 2025?
“Bon Iver – Everything Is Peaceful Love. A hook that embodies life. There were a lot of albums including Rosalía, Lorde, Lily Allen, Blood Orange, Dijon, Geese, Turnstile and more, but I’m going for Bon Iver again. I’m still playing music from Sable, Fable on the radio. Defiance, emotional clarity, humanity: it’s got it all.”
