It's tougher than ever to predict what's next for the music business. To look ahead to 2025, Music Week gathers a host of the industry's leading names – including Dickon Stainer, Tony Harlow, Lorna Clarke, Emma Banks, Dipesh Parmar, Kanya King, David Venutura, Lucy Dickins, Amber Davis and Peter Loraine – to ask what they're hoping the new year has in store...
DICKON STAINER, UNIVERSAL MUSIC UK
“I hope that we put artistry and human creativity at the heart of our conversations. It’s what our industry is built on.”
TONY HARLOW, WARNER MUSIC
“I hope that deals go back to taking into account how long it takes to break an act. And that the government reinstates school music education for all.”
LORNA CLARKE, BBC
“I hope the industry continues to value the BBC and what we do for artists.”
DIPESH PARMAR, COLUMBIA
“That we deliver a global domestic breakout artist.”
EMMA BANKS, CAA
“I think 2025 will bring a shift in the artists we will see as festival headliners. This has built up a head of steam and we have a raft of new headline acts coming through who are being properly paid and will pull massive crowds. Artists like Hozier, Charli XCX, Olivia Rodrigo, Playboi Carti and many more are now bona fide top-of-the-bill acts and we must keep building on that.”
JEN IVORY, PARLOPHONE
“I hope that the UK produces even more global superstars, showcasing the immense talent and creativity that thrives in this country. The ambition and cultural imprint of UK talent should never be underestimated.”
OBI ASIKA, UTA
“We need to see new ideas and people emerge. Greater diversity in the industry, especially in live, is needed. I really hope 2025 sees us go forwards, not backwards, in this regard.”
ANDREA CZAPARY MARTIN, PRS FOR MUSIC
“My hope is for long-term solutions to reopen the EU touring market for UK artists. The government has indicated this is a priority and we look forward to working with them on it.”
BEN KATOVSKY, HIPGNOSIS
“I hope the industry and the regulators find ways in which we can benefit from generative AI, whilst making sure that everyone is fairly paid for the music AI consumes as it learns.”
KOMALI SCOTT-JONES, AWAL/BLACK MUSIC COALITION
“That the industry gets back to basics and focuses on creating an environment to break more incredible British acts.”
MARTIN TALBOT, OFFICIAL CHARTS COMPANY
“I would love to see more of the vast numbers attending the enormo-shows that dominate our summer every year migrate to support the grassroots live experience.”
CHARISSE BEAUMONT, BLACK LIVES IN MUSIC
“I hope the industry will work together to address discrimination, and work with Black Lives In Music to do so. We have the data, we have the lived experience, we have the solutions. Be a part of the solution and support Black Lives In Music. Let’s make this industry a better place together.”
LIZZIE DICKSON, YOUTUBE
“We need to break artists, not songs. I hope there is a collective investment in the kind of storytelling that allows fans to fall in love with new artists. It’s the key to sustainable careers and the future health of the industry.”
BEN WYNTER, UNSTOPPABLE MUSIC GROUP/AIM
“I believe we’re heading back to a focus on quality over quantity, with a renewed emphasis on artist development. I’d also really like to see progress in levelling up business practices; there’s a big opportunity for the industry to rethink its current models. And, as we approach five years since the murder of George Floyd, it’s hard not to feel like the industry took five steps forward but 10 steps back in terms of equity and inclusion. Reclaiming those lost steps is crucial.”
AMBER DAVIS, WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC
“I hope consumers will return to being album listeners as opposed to consuming one-off TikTok moments. I would love for artist longevity to return.”
IAN DUTT, THE ORCHARD
“My biggest hope for 2025 is to see more British artists breaking through. The last couple of years have been tough and it feels like a win for anyone is a win for everyone right now.”
SHENIECE CHARWAY, YOUTUBE
“I think this will be my hope going forward until we see significant change, but more diversity across the board within the music industry. I also hope that we as an industry help to bring artist development back. It is so crucial that we look after the artists. Without them, we don’t have an industry.”
DAVID VENTURA, SONY MUSIC PUBLISHING
“My hope is for algorithms to crash or to implode!”
CHRIS DEMPSEY, CORDUROY ARTISTS
“Given it takes an average of about seven years of development to break an act, it’s tough to be sure whose year 2025 will be! We’re focused on a new singer-songwriter called Ethan Holt, who has an unrivalled voice and has written for Chase & Status and Gryffin. I’d like to think more and more people will get to hear his voice next year.”
NADIA KHAN, WOMEN IN CTRL
“Expanding the Seat At The Table report to other areas of the industry is a personal goal, particularly focusing on areas like live music, streaming and publishing. A key emphasis would be on succession planning to ensure progress is not only achieved but sustained. I also hope technology is leveraged ethically, creating fairer systems for artists to earn a living and connect with audiences.”
STUART GALBRAITH, KILIMANJARO LIVE
“This year, I’m hoping for the introduction of the price-capping legislation.”
NIKITA KANDA, BBC ASIAN NETWORK
“More collaboration between our Asian music scene and the wider mainstream industry. In 2024, we saw examples including Problems Over Peace by AP Dhillon and Stormzy, Dilemma by Stefflon Don and Sidhu Moose Wala, and Diljit Dosanjh and Saweetie with their song Khutti. This feels like the beginning of something exciting.”
ANDREW PARSONS, TICKETMASTER UK
“UK fans are in for a treat with an astonishing number of stadium shows in 2025. However, with these high-profile events, we often see a surge in touts looking to cash in on fans’ love for live music and take money away from the creative industries. My biggest hope is that the government takes decisive action by implementing a cap on unauthorised secondary ticket sales and eliminates the financial incentives for touts once and for all, thereby protecting fans from inflated prices.”
TALIA SHABATAI, ISLAND
“More amazing women making their way up the ranks and staying there.”
HANNAH NEAVES, UMR
“The return of UK artists breaking internationally.”
ROBERT RONALDSON, ROBOTS + HUMANS
“I hope that UK artists continue to break boundaries and push culture forward in their own genres.”
LUCY DICKINS, WME
“I hope we can help to break some new headline artists. It’s important that festivals take a leap of faith and elevate a variety of acts; it gives music fans a great opportunity to discover acts that they may not otherwise encounter.”
ALED HAYDN JONES, BBC RADIO 1
“I hope we act fast and collaborate effectively to ensure the strength of the UK music industry in an increasingly global market.”
PETER LORAINE, FASCINATION MANAGEMENT
“A Spice Girls reunion.”
