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 Joe Kentish, Ben Mortimer, Alec Boateng, Damaris Rex-Taylor, Molly Neuman, Isabel Garvey, Riki Bleau, Taponeswa Mavunga, Shaurav D'Silva, Alexi Cory-Smith and more – to ask what they're hoping the new year has in store...
JOE KENTISH, WARNER/PARLOPHONE LABEL GROUP
“I said the same last year – we need to break our artists globally and cheer for each other whenever it happens.”
BEN MORTIMER, POLYDOR LABEL GROUP
“The Brits are coming for global success. It’s 100% going to happen.”
ALEC BOATENG, 0207 DEF JAM
“Great music, patience and the continual evolution of the important conversation about what real ‘success’ is, and what it looks like for artists, managers, labels... And us all getting better at being on the same page.”
DAMARIS REX-TAYLOR, RCA
“I hope we see British artists resonating globally, and the industry experimenting with big- scope thinking that’s been applied to legacy artists in recent years to develop long-term propositions.”
MOLLY NEUMAN, CD BABY
“I really hope we can find a way to evolve towards a greater level of mutual respect for one another in different segments of the industry. Long-standing distinctions such as major or independent, indie or pop, long-tail or marquee signings and recorded music or publishing are blurred, and maintaining them is not serving us well.”
NEIL WARNOCK, UTA
“My biggest hope is that we carefully monitor our interaction with all of our ticket-buying customers, reflecting on ticket pricing and the overall live experience.”
ISABEL GARVEY, WARNER RECORDS
“My hope is for more UK acts breaking through on the global stage.”
RIKI BLEAU, SINCE ’93
“As we all come to terms with the new tools at our disposal, my biggest hope for the industry in 2025 is for breakthrough domestic artists.”
VANESSA BOSÅEN, VIRGIN MUSIC GROUP
“As streaming continues to break down regional and language barriers, we’d love to see artists from the UK succeed in new markets like never before.”
JO WHILEY, BBC RADIO 2
“I hope that in the wake of Liam Payne’s death there is a renewed effort to take care of the artists we enjoy and protect their mental health more than ever. Musically, I’ve also recently fallen in love with Zaho De Sagazan and can’t wait to have her in session this year.”
PETER LEATHEM, PPL
“I hope we will see British talent continue to break through in the UK and beyond. It was great to see English Teacher win the Mercury prize and then go on to tour in the US. I hope we can continue to play a small part in the success of British bands through funding the PRS Foundation for the PPL Momentum Music Fund and the International Showcase Fund.”
PAUL HITCHMAN, AWAL
“I’d love to see more British artists breaking through on the world stage. It would help if the UK government reduces the admin burden for British artists touring in Europe, and if the industry rallies behind grassroots venues that are still so important as a proving ground for the next generation of performers.”
EMMA BOWNES, AEG EUROPE & THE O2
“I hope that the industry finds a fairer way to deliver financial support for grassroots music venues, artists and promoters.”
JACK SAUNDERS, BBC RADIO 1
“I hope we keep traditional artist development in our minds more. Charli XCX, Chappell Roan and others have all shown what commitment to an artist’s vision can bring.”
TIM MAJOR, SONY MUSIC PUBLISHING
“We want to build even more community at SMP with our teams and with our songwriters. We have some big plans for 2025 that we are very excited about rolling out.”
LIZ GOODWIN, ATLANTIC
“That the industry helps to protect our grassroots venues all over the UK. It is our collective responsibility to lobby and help enable young, unsigned bands – and future festival headliners!”
PAUL CLEMENTS, MPA/MCPS
“I hope the UK Government establishes and implements well-balanced regulations around generative AI. We urgently need guardrails to protect human creativity.”
CHAR GRANT, BABYCHILD MUSIC
“I hope the industry can regain its focus on developing exceptional talent.”
SHAURAV D’SILVA, 2-TONE ENTERTAINMENT/STELLAR SONGS
“I hope that the underrepresented continue to have a voice and be supported, whether it’s songwriters getting the remuneration they deserve, or talented female and Black executives being given more opportunities to progress into leadership roles. We must continue to encourage, mentor and facilitate their development.”
CHLOË ROBERTS, YOUNG
“Beyond the streaming economics issue, I’m hoping to see more protection for artists’ creative expression and mental health. Essentially, more patient, artist-first development and for us to ‘listen’.”
TAPONESWA MAVUNGA, SONY MUSIC UK
“I hope to see more breakthrough talent coming through.”
SARA LORD, THE CAT’S MOTHER
“That we can just keep making small but important positive changes for a more rounded, representative business – soppy, I know, but true.”
ALEXI CORY-SMITH, BELLA FIGURA MUSIC
“I would like to see more new artists breaking through.”
CARLA MARIE WILLIAMS, SONGWRITER/PRODUCER/GIRLS I RATE
“In terms of big hopes for new artists, I’m loving Brazy and SadGirl – they’re real fun and fresh.”
DOROTHY HUI, DIGITAL & AUDIENCEDEVELOPMENT CONSULTANT
“My hope for 2025 is for the industry to continue its commitment to DE&I. While progress has been made, there’s room to improve inclusion across underrepresented groups. Over the past several months, I’ve been working with the team behind ESEA Music and we’re focused on building East and South East Asian representation across artists and executives alike, with the support of partners including BPI, UK Music, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Group, Southbank Centre, Arts Council England, Downtown Publishing and Beatport. I’d love to see this grow in 2025.”
WEZ SAUNDERS, DEFECTED
“Looking at 2025, I hope the music industry continues to embrace diversity and inclusivity, providing platforms for emerging artists from all backgrounds. I also envision a sustainable ecosystem where artists are fairly compensated, and technological advancements are leveraged to enhance creative expression. Ultimately, I hope that the industry remains a space where music continues to unite and inspire people globally during difficult times.”
ALEXANDRA AMPOFO, METROPOLIS MUSIC
“My big hope is more appreciation for the incredible teams behind the scenes. From managers and agents, to promoters and visual creatives, these individuals pour their hearts into supporting artists and making the magic happen. I’d love to see a stronger culture of collaboration and mutual respect that uplifts everyone involved.”
STEVE TILLEY, KILIMANJARO LIVE
“Can we please fix the grassroots venue problem? Surely just saying these are not viable businesses so let them close is totally missing the point. They’ve never been truly viable businesses; they’ve been labours of love that just about managed to cover their costs, but now the circuit faces an existential crisis and too many people who should know better just shrug their shoulders and go, ‘Oh well that’s just progress, that’s just changing times and tastes.’ No, no, no and, for good measure, no!”
LARA BAKER, FUGA
“It may be an unpopular subject, but I want us to address ageism. All of us need to be here well into our 60s, but this is such a youth-focused business. We need to value the experience older professionals bring and ensure there are jobs and appropriate remuneration. This particularly applies to women as the gender imbalance in older age groups is significant, but it needs to be addressed across the board.”
MICHAEL ADEX, NQ
“I hope there is more clarity for new artists, as right now it’s so difficult to build an audience and plan for the long term with so many changes in trends.”
JULIE WEIR, MUSIC FOR NATIONS
“Music is not a nine-to-five industry. If we support our own ecosystem it will flourish, and this begins with the people.”
CHARLEY SNOOK, EGA DISTRO
“My biggest hope is that we continue to see more females being empowered in high-profile roles, as well as hopefully a female UK R&B artist breakthrough, which will then create more of a lane for others to follow.”
ZENA WHITE, PARTISAN/WIN
“It’s time for all stakeholders, including DSPs, to come together to eliminate fraudulent streams from the royalty pool by developing robust safeguards.”
REBECCA FRANK, KISS NETWORK
“That small, real-life collective experiences continue to grow in creativity alongside online content formats for artists. Don’t just sit behind your keyboards, people – let’s keep inventing!”
