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…
GOLNAR KHOSROWSHAHI
RESERVOIR MEDIA
“As an industry, we have made significant progress in recognising the value of creative content and my hope for 2026 is that we apply that same principle consistently to AI-trained platforms. The future of music needs to be fair, transparent and sustainable, and that means ensuring our creators’ intellectual property is properly licensed when it is used to train AI models.”
AARON BAY-SCHUCK
WARNER RECORDS US
“I hope we can embrace AI as a positive tool and find real solutions for artists and rights-holders. The technology needs to be in service of creativity and we need to help artists find this opportunity. Thankfully, this work is underway. Another equally important hope is that we see the continued trend of quality artists breaking across multiple genres. In the first half of the 2020s, we saw the focus shift to hits, with little concern for the artist proposition. However, the recent past has delivered artist breakthroughs from incredible talents. The industry is at its healthiest when we are seeing that level of success.”
TOM CORSON
WARNER RECORDS US
“To find the right path on AI that powers creativity and innovation while protecting artists’ rights. As these [tech] companies reach new heights, they have an opportunity to share value across the ecosystem while continuing to build their businesses.”
“I would love to see even more British talent break through from all backgrounds and styles of music. As an industry, we need to be bold and have the vision and ambition to seize this big opportunity, including through greater local and regional engagement.”
DAVID GRAY
UNIVERSAL MUSIC PUBLISHING GROUP
“The world is very ‘on-demand’, but breaking a great artist or writer often takes time. We have to balance the demand for instant gratification with our real purpose: helping develop world-class talent, delivering sustained success and bringing great songs to the world.”
LUCINDA TSE-HALL
BMG/ESEA MUSIC
“I hope we can continue exploring how to harness the power of AI in ways that support the music industry, rather than work against it, all whilst preserving the artistry and the people who make this industry what it is.”
As an industry, we have made significant progress in recognising the value of creative content and my hope for 2026 is that we apply that same principle consistently to AI-trained platforms
Golnar Khosrowshahi
CHAR GRANT
BABYCHILD MUSIC/BLACK MUSIC COALITION
“Stable resources for creators; a new platform – or platforms – for artist discovery; and a considered focus on preventative health measures for executives in the music industry, particularly those who are independent and don’t benefit from any company policies.”
JO CHARRINGTON
CAPITOL UK
“I hope we break some more artists globally from the UK. We’re going to consolidate Olivia Dean and her takeover’s going to continue, but I think there’s some amazing artist and executive talent in this country. I just hope everyone keeps thinking big and shooting for the stars, basically!”
BEN MORTIMER
POLYDOR LABEL GROUP
“More of the same. I just think we’re on track; 2025 was a breakthrough year and it’s just going to keep going. It’s happening, I can feel it; there’s renewed confidence and I think we’re going to really feel the benefits of it for the foreseeable.”
ALEC BOATENG
0207 DEF JAM
“I’m hoping for ongoing success messages, so everyone across all creative industries starts to understand the value of music again from a British perspective. I also hope club culture comes back and starts to matter again.”
DAVID VENTURA
SONY MUSIC PUBLISHING
“I hope we find, with the government’s help, a fair and legal framework for AI. This is probably the biggest challenge I have encountered since I started in this industry. As a duty, [we] need to unite and ensure songwriting and music made by humans won’t suddenly sink into the abyss within a non-regulated landscape.”
CAM PIA
BBC RADIO 6 MUSIC
“I hope that the industry continues to improve on platforming a diverse range of voices.”
CHARLEY SNOOK
EGA DISTRO
“To see working parents feel more supported in their role and given more flexibility in order to allow them to thrive in their career, whilst still feeling like a dedicated parent.”
ALED HAYDN JONES
BBC RADIO 1
“I hope that we continue to prioritise British creative industries and UK artists and labels, and work together to ensure we’re as globally impactful as we’ve always been.”
TOM LEWIS
FONTANA
“For Fontana to have a fantastic, adventurous and successful first year. We have such an ambitious, talented team, a formidable roster and a very clear mission.”
That the momentum for songwriter rights and creative equity keeps building – and that we see a stronger, fairer ecosystem for everyone behind the scenes
Amber Davis
AMBER DAVIS
WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC UK
“That the momentum for songwriter rights and creative equity keeps building – and that we see a stronger, fairer ecosystem for everyone behind the scenes. I’d love 2026 to be the year the business truly values its creators at every level, not just the ones in the spotlight.”
MATT RILEY
AWAL
“More breakthrough success for UK and Irish artists on the global stage.”
CÉCILE RAP-VEBER
SACEM
“I hope for a wake-up call from politicians to finally regulate generative AI properly. I also hope these technologies operate transparently, so that meaningful licensing agreements can be established and creators receive the protection and recognition they deserve.”
AMY WHEATLEY
COLUMBIA RECORDS
“The continuation of artist consumption and building of artists’ propositions. It’s so exciting that we are getting back to the full artist, rather than just tracks. It’s important for the artists, the context of their creativity, and the bodies of work they create and play live!”
KANYA KING
MOBO
“My biggest hope is that the industry embraces innovation in a way that genuinely opens doors – creating easier access, clearer systems and stronger global connections. When we get that right, the entire creative ecosystem thrives, especially the artists at its heart. At MOBO, we’re fully committed to helping build that future. Through initiatives like MOBO Help Musicians Amplified, MOBOLISE and the continued growth of MOBO UnSung, we’re ensuring that diverse talent has real pathways, real development and real support. And with the opening of [new cultural hub] House of MOBO, I’m excited to champion a space where community, creativity and opportunity can come together in a meaningful, lasting way.”
SAT BISLA
MUSEXPO
“I hope our business gets back to being more relationship-focused, and less transactional. Post-Covid, I’ve seen things change drastically, and not in a good way. We need to bring more humanity and creativity back into our business. This is an entrepreneurial and relationship-based industry – it’s become fast food for many, which is unhealthy long term!”
DOT LEVINE
VEVO
“I hope the industry rallies around the opportunities that short-form social content offers – returning value to creators, artists and the industry. We need effective measurement and monetisation across these platforms.”
TIM MAJOR
SONY MUSIC PUBLISHING
“I’m excited for authentic artists to continue to rise. Craig Foster – from the documentary, My Octopus Teacher – once described how, rather than looking at the ocean as a place where millions of species are fighting each other to survive, he viewed it as an ecosystem where every species is constantly elevating the others by pushing them to be better. With so much music flooding onto streaming services, inevitably escalating due to AI, we can either see this as a threat to human creativity or an opportunity to rise above it all.”
I’d love to see the impact of Oasis’ return reinvigorate a broader interest in guitar-driven music and inspire the next generation
Clare Byrne
CLARE BYRNE
BIG BROTHER RECORDINGS/IGNITION
“I’d love to see the impact of Oasis’ return reinvigorate a broader interest in guitar-driven music and inspire the next generation… and with a continued focus on building long-term artist-fan relationships.”
TRENTON HARRISON-LEWIS
WARNER MUSIC UK
“I hope the industry invests money in developing artists who truly need the backing and stops relying solely on data. I recently heard someone suggest that we should sign records – like hedge funds – purely by data, which I thought was a waste of the good pair of ears God gave all of us.”
HELEN SMITH
IMPALA
“Streaming reform where remuneration models pay independent labels and artists more; better finance options for independents to scale up their operations; and to ensure we avoid a ‘missing middle’.”
ISABEL GARVEY
WARNER MUSIC
“The UK’s been hugely important in a very global landscape, and I feel we need to punch through to prove that again. Think about Oasis, touring around the world. They’re the voices of a generation and an era. We need more of those artists and we certainly have an incredible batch of talent.”
TOYIN MUSTAPHA
TIKTOK
“That the UK continues to break new artists that have global reach and impact.”
LAURA LUKANZ
AMAZON MUSIC
“I hope we continue to see the incredible resilience and creativity of British artists flourish, particularly as we navigate ongoing challenges. I hope 2026 brings more diversity and collaboration to support sustainable careers for artists at every stage of their journey.”
DAN CHALMERS
YOUTUBE
“More homegrown talent thriving on the global stage. Domestic music scenes are flourishing around the world, but the UK remains a vital part of global music culture. I hope we keep building on that legacy.”
BBC RADIO 1
“I hope the music industry continues to prioritise creativity and emotional depth. The best albums of 2025 did so.”
