Welcome to the biggest incarnation yet of Music Week's Year In Review special!
We’ve jam-packed the final issue of 2025 with insight from more than 150 of the biggest names in the industry to run the rule over all that has happened over the past 12 months.
As you’ll no doubt be aware, there has been a lot going on this year. From shifts at the top of major record companies, to big debates about AI, remuneration and the independent sector, it has been an incredibly busy time. And that’s before you even consider Oasis’ comeback, the global success of Olivia Dean, Lola Young, Central Cee and more, plus the return of Taylor Swift and a bonanza year for live music.
Over an epic 28 pages, we quiz a smorgasbord of industry figures – including Universal Music Group UK’s Dickon Stainer, Warner Music Group’s Simon Robson, Columbia’s Amy Wheatley, Lorna Clarke of the BBC, CAA’s Emma Banks, Aaron Bay-Schuck and Tom Corson of Warner Records US, TikTok’s Tracy Gardner, Reservoir’s Golnar Khosrowshahi and many more – about how they saw 2025.
Also inside, we remember the legendary executives, global stars, songwriters, producers and other brilliant individuals we lost this year.
Elsewhere, Mixtape Madness co-founders Kwabz Oduro Ayim, Kingsley Okyere, and Eddie Agyeman discuss their platform’s 15th anniversary, analyse their impact on the industry and talk all things UK rap.
In the final edition of Hitmakers this year, songwriter Ejae tells the story of million-selling K-Pop Demon Hunters smash Golden and how the genesis of a track that has become indelible in 2025 took place en route to a routine dental appointment.
We bring you our yearly round up of the best insights, soundbites and one-liners from executives and artists who have starred in our pages this year, and the end-of-year edition of Hotshots.
Also inside, Music Venue Trust CEO Mark Davyd delivers his yearly address, picking out the good – and the bad – among the headlines for the grassroots venues sector from 2025.
Meanwhile, in The Aftershow, fresh from being honoured at the Artist & Manager Awards, East City Management founder Stephen ‘Tav’ Taverner holds court on working with Wolf Alice, Ash and more, and tells a story about a memorable episode of late night nausea.
In Mentor Me – a collaboration between Music Week and Girls I Rate – broadcaster, TV exec and inclusion leader Jasmine Dotiwala shares her top tips.
In the front section, Big Story sees Music Week examine the chart trends that have made the headlines in 2025, from more gargantuan sales for Taylor Swift, huge success for domestic talent, the rise of rock, K-Pop and more.
Also inside, Jason Williamson of Sleaford Mods trails the duo’s upcoming new record The Demise Of Planet X, while Warner-signed Irish band Florence Road star in On The Radar.
Lastly, in our expanded monthly charts section, we present the Top 75 Singles and Albums of the previous month, accompanied by revamped analysis pages, plus a host of new listings. These include specialist genre Top 20s for Americana, Classical, Hip-Hop & R&B, Jazz, Country, Dance, Folk and Rock & Metal. The issue is also home to streaming, compilations and vinyl charts.
The new issue of Music Week is available from December 16.
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