2025 Vision: 7 Industry Insiders forecast the year’s trends

“India’s music and live entertainment industry is on the brink of an exhilarating 2025, marked by transformative trends that reflect evolving audience preferences and enhanced industry capabilities. As highlighted in BookMyShow’s year-end report, #BookMyShowThrowback, 2024 witnessed an extraordinary 30,687 live events across 319 cities, reflecting an 18% growth in India’s live entertainment consumption. A defining trend has been the rapid rise of music tourism, with over 4,77,393 fans travelling beyond their cities to attend live events.

Another significant trend taking centre stage is the rise of the experience economy. Today’s audiences are no longer just looking for performances; they seek holistic experiences that leave a lasting impact. This has fueled the emergence of festivals and concerts that go beyond music to offer immersive engagements, curated culinary delights and tech-driven activations. These multi-sensory journeys cater to diverse tastes and are redefining entertainment by blending music, culture, and innovation. With global headliners, groundbreaking collaborations and unprecedented demand, 2025 promises to be a game-changing year for music lovers in India.”

1) “A rise in superfan communities around artists

2) More boy and girl pop bands

3) Labels are going to become more focused on artist services

4) Music will be a key export from India

5) More investment and eyes on India looking for the next Big Dawgs / HMK story

6) Authenticity will triumph“

“I’m always reluctant to make predictions so instead I’m going to list a couple of things that I wish to see in 2025. I’m really hoping to see more diversity in festival line-ups both in terms of headliners and in terms of more women on the bill. We’re at a point where there are more festivals than there are acts that promoters believe can sell tickets. So perhaps 2025 can be the year when there are more non-headliner events where people come for a certain vibe rather than a specific artist. We seem to be caught in a vicious circle where the same acts get repeated because there are no new crowd pullers and there are no new crowd pullers because the same acts get repeated. 

I’m also hoping for more innovation in production, so, for example, we’ll hear fewer pop songs inspired by Afrobeats. The one thing I do see happening is more crossover between the indie and mainstream scenes, with independent artists contributing to the soundtracks of web series and films. And the further breaking down of barriers in terms of languages and genres – if there’s anything the last few years have shown us, it’s that a hit can come from anywhere!”

“As we look ahead to the future of India’s music industry, it’s clear that to truly capitalize on the music boom we’re experiencing, music licensing must evolve into a more robust and efficient system. This will be driven by advancements in technology, centralized databases, and a renewed focus on compliance. For the industry to thrive, businesses and platforms must embrace the principle of fair pay for music, creating a sustainable and equitable model for both creators and rights holders.

The rise of digital platforms and AI-powered tools has already transformed music consumption, and this trend will only accelerate. By 2025, personalized AI-curated playlists, virtual concerts, and immersive music experiences will become integral parts of the music landscape.

India’s music industry is rapidly aligning with global trends, and we expect to see greater international collaboration and exposure for Indian music. However, issues such as the value gap, ensuring equitable remuneration for creators, navigating cross-border licensing complexities, and management of rights must be addressed to fully capitalize on the globalization of Indian music. IPRS is committed to advocating for better copyright management systems, fostering partnerships with global CMOs and relevant stakeholders, and supporting Indian creators in their journey to reach a global audience.”

“With the way the music industry is growing and expanding, it’s becoming imperative for artists to understand the business side of the music industry. An artist can no longer just rely on a manager to make things happen. New AI policies, DSP payout changes, artificial stream penalties and a lot more changes seem to be on the horizon. Understanding how and why these changes are coming into affect will be the most important task and that’s where music business education comes in.

I think 2025 will see a shift in the way music distribution companies operate. Emphasis will be more on artist services rather than just distribution. Anyone can release your music, but what more can you do for an artist determines who an artist works with. To that effect we at MGMH Groove have partners with Snafu to offer artists and labels advances along with other services like Global pitching, tik tok management and even YouTube monetisation via Group Speed.”

“Local Sounds, Global Horizons“

“In 2025, India’s music industry is poised to make deeper global inroads, driven by its cultural diversity and advancements in digital platforms. Regional music, once locally cherished, is now crossing borders, with artists performing on international stages and topping global charts. For instance, Sai Abhyankar’s Tamil tracks have become national sensations, while Sanju Rathod’s Marathi hit captivated audiences across the country.

The digital streaming market, projected to reach ₹8 billion by 2025, is the backbone of this globalization. Viral phenomena like Ishq Hai, an Indian OST that became a global chart-topper within seven days of release, underline the growing global appetite for Indian music.

While this transformation may not fully materialize in 2025, it will undoubtedly be a landmark year, paving the way for further growth in the global music arena.”

“The Indian music industry in 2025 will see explosive growth driven by live music events, Indian independent and international artists. With Gen Z and millennials craving unique, immersive experiences; live performances and festivals will dominate, supported by increased digital ticketing adoption. Independent artists will leverage platforms like SkillBox for direct audience engagement, monetization, and brand collaborations. Additionally, we’ll see an influx of international acts touring India, while Indian artists rise to global stardom. More brands and bigger players will enter the live entertainment sector, further professionalizing and expanding the ecosystem. In short, it’s shaping up to be a transformative year and a golden era for live entertainment in India.”