The music scene has witnessed a lot of activity in recent months that will continue to make headlines in 2022. As a highly influential industry, it reflects the advancements, trends, struggles, inequality and opportunities that are being experienced socially.
Artists are always guiding the changes of humanity; many of them have the ability to glimpse the new in more creative ways, capturing it in their work or personal lives. This allows people to identify with these cultural revolutions.
Environmental changes
2022 will mark a key moment for music and the contribution it makes to the environment. The English band Coldplay will start an eco-friendly world tour in March that they have been planning since 2019, when they said they would try to benefit the planet as much as possible throughout their concerts.
During the Music of The Spheres tour, they promise to use clean energy, reduce the carbon footprint they produce, and reward their fans who also collaborate with the environmental cause by using means of transportation such as bicycles or trains. Likewise, with the distribution of free drinking water, people are encouraged to carry reusable bottles to refill and avoid wasting plastic bottles.
Kinetic floors will be installed in the stadiums that will generate energy with the movement of the audience, solar panels that will power the stage, and bicycles where attendees can also help to produce electricity. All the energy generated will be stored in a battery developed in conjunction with BMW, which is the first rechargeable battery of its kind to be used at shows.
The band will also take commercial flights, use electric vehicles, and eat mainly local plant-based food. In addition, they will donate 10% of profits to environmental causes and, for every ticket sold, a tree will be planted. With these actions, Coldplay goes beyond words, knowing that the best way to transform reality is by taking action.
They know everything won’t be perfect, but they are beginning a work in progress to do their best to change the way musicians present themselves to the public.
Intellectual property and artists’ rights
Throughout the history of the music industry, many artists have been unfairly treated by people with power. Recently, Taylor Swift stood up to this, put the brakes on it and changed the rules, making history by regaining control of her intellectual property.
After her music catalog was sold without consulting her, depriving her of the opportunity to own her music, the artist began a battle that some thought she had lost. But Swift decided to make history by recording again the albums on which rested a disadvantageous contract signed in the first years of her career.
The release brought Taylor back to the top of the charts and proved that she has the support of her fans. The songs were accompanied by music videos that garnered millions of views within minutes, the most trending was “All Too Well,” a 10-minute short film (directed by Swift) that captures an epic story of love and heartbreak.
Strength in unity
Many musicians use their platforms to denounce, expose or highlight important events happening in the world today. In 2021, more than 60 artists participated in Global Citizen Live, a concert to raise awareness about inequality in vaccine distribution, climate change, and famine.
The concert was one of the largest in history. The shows were streamed on various platforms and stages were located around the world in cities such as Paris, London, Los Angeles, Seoul and Rio de Janeiro. Among the attendees were Ed Sheeran, Elton John, Lizzo, BTS, Billie Eilish, Coldplay, Cyndi Lauper, Jennifer Lopez, Alessia Cara, Stevie Wonder and Green Day.
Through the event, the organizers invited the world’s governments to distribute vaccines to the poorest countries, plant a billion trees, and donate meals for 41 million people suffering from famine. The call was to stop ignoring the inequality that exists between rich and poor countries.
2022 will undoubtedly bring more of the strength, conviction and creativity in the music industry. Even during the early months of the pandemic, they demonstrated the power of music to bring hope to the darkest of places, this year that is just beginning promises to contribute to the changes that many have been demanding for some time.
Image credit: Raph_PH
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