With 2026 well underway and plenty of industry developments taking effect, we present Music Week’s annual straw poll of what some of the biggest names in the game desire from the next 12 months. Without further ado, here’s what they’re hoping for…
DICKON STAINER
UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP UK
“I’d like to see British companies – and I’d like it to come from us but if it doesn’t, other British companies – continue to rise and succeed globally. That’s what I want because I think we need it in this country, and the music industry needs it. We’ve got it started, but we need to continue.”
SIMON ROBSON
WARNER MUSIC GROUP
“I think our biggest issue as an industry is streaming manipulation – it’s becoming a bigger problem than we really appreciate at the moment. My hope is that we get together and really get a hold of it to ensure a level playing field for our artists.”
SAFIYA LAMBIE-KNIGHT
SPOTIFY
“My biggest hope is to see the continued global success of UK artists. It was such an exciting year for UK music [in 2025]; seeing so many homegrown talents represented in the Grammy nominations – from PinkPantheress and Skepta to Olivia Dean and Lola Young – is truly incredible. There’s so much creativity and individuality coming out of the UK right now – I just hope that momentum keeps building in the year ahead.”
ANNA-SOPHIE MERTENS
LIVE NATION
“I’d like more growth in the UK’s country and Americana scene, which has really taken off in the last few years. I’m particularly excited about the first edition of State Fayre, our new weekend camping festival celebrating all things rock, Americana and barbecue. It brings something new to the UK festival landscape.”
SHERYL NWOSU
THE BLACK MUSIC COALITION
“Last year was a major shift personally and professionally for so many people. I hope that 2026 is kinder and that we all take care of each other a little bit more.”
I’d like to see British companies continue to rise and succeed globally. That’s what I want because I think we need it in this country, and the music industry needs it. We’ve got it started, but we need to continue.
Dickon Stainer
KIM FRANKIEWICZ
CONCORD
“My biggest hope every year is that songwriters and producers receive higher royalties from streaming platforms. Without songwriters and producers, there’s no music to stream!”
KENNY GATES
PIAS
“I hope independence doesn’t become simply a buzzword, but a statement of real intent. I want us, and others, to prove that independent culture and major label resources can coexist to push creativity, not just profit. I want an industry where global scale doesn’t mean creative homogenisation, where platforms, majors, indies, and artists all understand that long-term careers matter more than short-term hits and where artists are fairly rewarded, not just treated as streaming revenue for copyright holders. Majors, indies, managers and publishers also need to unite against the threat of AI and to champion the value of creativity and copyright.”
GLYN AIKINS
RCA/SINCE ’93
“I hope we continue to prioritise artist development, creativity and diversity as core values rather than talking points. The business is at its best when it balances innovation with investment in people and artistry. I hope 2026 sees a recommitment to culture, creative risk-taking, and ensuring the next generation of artists has the infrastructure and belief needed to achieve global impact from a UK base.”
INES DUNN
SONGWRITER
“I hope that the bar for music keeps getting higher and the people making it keep getting bolder! It is such an inspiring time to be making music right now. There are no rules, no special, secret ways of having success. It’s all about the song – and long may that continue!”
I think our biggest issue as an industry is streaming manipulation... My hope is that we get together and really get a hold of it to ensure a level playing field for our artists
Simon Robson
EMMANUEL DE BURETEL
BECAUSE MUSIC
“That we unite to confront and design solutions for the major challenges we’re facing today – from the value of music to AI, algorithms and diversity.”
EMMA-LEE MOSS
ESEA MUSIC
“I hope artists get access to the funding they need to create their best work and to make a [sustainable] living. I’d like to see better awareness of the juggling act parents and carers face, too, which was recently addressed in the PiPA Pledge.”
LORNA CLARKE
BBC
“I’m looking forward to continuing to work in partnership with the industry by supporting new and emerging talent as well as returning artists. We’ll also be working together on a number of exciting musical treats to present to our audiences whilst Glastonbury has a gap year.”
SEMERA KHAN
POLYDOR LABEL GROUP
“To be able to push the boundaries creatively and branch out, and to raise expectations. I also look forward to developing and deepening artist relationships in 2026.”
JIM KING
AEG PRESENTS UK
“My biggest hope for the music industry is that we keep building through smarter, more sustainable touring and festivals, balancing creativity with commercial discipline. If promoters, agents, and venues stay focused on strengthening the connection between artists and fans, using data intelligently while still trusting creative instinct, we can drive artist development, protect margins and build a more resilient live business for the long term.”
TRACY GARDNER
TIKTOK
“My biggest hope for the music industry in 2026 is that we keep building a culture where creativity travels freely – where a song can start anywhere, reach everyone and still centre the artist at every step. TikTok wants to be part of a future of music that is global, collaborative and fan-driven.”
NICKIE OWEN
UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP UK
“I’d love to see more representation, both in terms of leaders and talent, in the music industry. We are such a diverse nation and this should be better reflected in it.”
There’s so much creativity and individuality coming out of the UK right now – I just hope that momentum keeps building in the year ahead
Safiya Lambie-Knight
JAMES WRIGHT
UTA
“I hope we can keep building on this sense of alignment. If 2025 was the year we stabilised and innovated, 2026 can be the year we scale the right ideas – whether that’s greener touring practices, more support for grassroots venues, or more cross-disciplinary opportunities for artists. And selfishly, fewer conference calls after 7pm would also be welcome.”
DJ AG
ARTIST
“That we see more breakthrough artists in 2026. The last two years have been a bit stale; this year, I’d love more to break through.”
JO TWIST
BPI
“I urge the industry to really come together on the common ground we all share to promote and grow British music in the face of rising global competition. There is so much more that unites than divides us, and we need to act with a collective purpose to realise the opportunities that lie ahead, whilst navigating the challenges we all face. And we must continue to work in close partnership to make the most of AI, while recognising the critical importance of copyright by developing an effective licensed market that keeps human artistry at the heart of the creative process.”
MAYKEL PIRON
ARMADA MUSIC
“My biggest hope is that A&R decisions are made more on genuine feeling rather than just data, and that quality records won’t get buried under the weight of algorithms and metrics. I’d love to see people trust that a label can be a mark of true quality – where curation and taste do matter.”
My biggest hope for the music industry in 2026 is that we keep building a culture where creativity travels freely – where a song can start anywhere, reach everyone and still centre the artist at every step
Tracy Gardner
TOM KIEHL
UK MUSIC
“That we remain true to our roots and values, and don’t compromise them. It is an increasingly complex world, which can sometimes feel difficult to navigate. Music can play a vital role in making people’s lives feel meaningful and connected, as well as providing the engine to deliver social change. It’s important that the industry does not lose sight of this.”
MARTIN MILLS
BEGGARS GROUP
“The discovery of a new chord.”
EMMA BOWNES
AEG EUROPE/THE O2
“It’s unlikely we’ll avoid statutory legislation [regarding the government’s target for adoption of the voluntary £1 Live Trust Levy], but it would be my hope that we find a way to prevent that outcome.”
“The industry moves fast, but careers are built slowly. I’d like to see deeper investment in communities, long-term storytelling and true artist development. And to see more patience, creativity and global ambition in how we break artists.”
NUR ÖZDAMAR
YOUTUBE
“I hope for a model where being a deeply creative, thoughtful artist is the most viable path forward.”
