Hey there, music lovers! š¶ Have you ever heard about the Hollywood story that's as quirky as a talking parrot? Well, shake your tail feathers because predicting entertainment trends can be just as unpredictable!
Back in 1934, a clever press agent at Paramount had a wild idea to promote Mae Westās movie, It Aināt No Sin. He trained 50 parrots to repeat the movieās name in theater lobbies. But just before the big release, Paramount chickened out and renamed the film Belle Of The Nineties. Legend says those parrots were set free in the South American jungle, squawking the original title for years!
Why share this silly tale? Because it shows just how forecasts in entertainment can go sideways. But hey, weāre starting a new year, and Iām feeling bold! So letās jump into my three fearless predictions for the music scene in 2026.
1. Major Music Labels Dive into Live Music
Hold on to your concert tickets, folks, because by 2026, major music labels might become your go-to spots for live music experiences! Warner Music Groupās Robert Kyncl dropped a hint last year, suggesting big changes ahead. Labels like Universal, Sony, and Warner, often thought of as strictly music rights hubs, are expanding their horizons.
Their earnings are blasting off, especially from āOtherā ventures like merch, and live events. Just look at Sony: in one quarter last year, their 'Other' category raked in a whopping $529 million, more than their global physical music sales combined!
Sony even snatched up merch giant Ceremony Of Roses, and itās paying off big time. Dive into the future where ānon-traditionalā revenue streams, including rockinā concerts, are roaring to life!
So, will I be right, or flapping my wings in the rainforest with the parrots? Only time will tell! š“š¦