Position Paper 3 - Forecasting the Future

Hannah Diffee

Professor Reppert

Internet Communication

April 2025

Position Paper 3 - Forecasting the Future

The Music Industry: Past, Present, and Future

As technologies continue to advance, industries will creatively utilize them to deliver innovative experiences and make unique opportunities more accessible than before. The music industry will be no exception to this growth, and we can anticipate further digitalization in how we create, view, and listen to content in the near future. However, before looking to the future, we must reflect on the past, recognizing the technologies that have shaped our culture and how we engage with content today.

A Journey Through Time: How Music Listening Has Evolved

The Phonograph

The phonograph, often called a gramophone, was the first device to record and play back sound successfully. Created in 1877 and usually credited to American inventor Thomas Edison, the instrument used the vibration of a needle on a rotating disc to produce sound. A phonograph disc, or record, stored a replica of sound waves through patterns inscribed on its surface. "When the record is played back, another [needle] responds to the undulations, and its motions are then reconverted into sound" (Encyclopedia Britannica). 

Above: A young Thomas Edison, pictured with his phonograph in 1877
(Source: Library of Congress).

The modern equivalent of a phonograph is a record player. Although record players have become less popular due to music streaming services, their resurgence in the late 2010s and early 2020s demonstrates that nostalgia and tangible media still have a place in today's digital landscape. Vinyl records will remain relevant for decades, as many individuals collect and display their records and enjoy growing their collections. However, digital streaming offers many benefits, such as accessibility, convenience, and minimal physical space needed, that will eventually outweigh the benefits of physically owning music.

Radio

Radio became widely available in the United States in the early 1920s. The first commercial radio station was KDKA in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which aired on November 2, 1920, to broadcast the results of the Harding-Cox presidential election.

Above: KDKA transmitting the first commercial radio broadcast

Over the past century, radio has become an integral form of communication, with approximately 82% of Americans aged 12 and older listening to AM/FM radio each week (Pew Research Center). The impact of radio--particularly FM radio--on society cannot be understated. “Stations catered to local audiences with tailored content, featuring everything from news to local events, while also playing an integral role in breaking new artists and tracks” (DMT-FM). Satellite radio services, such as SiriusXM, have made the medium even more accessible, allowing broadcasts to be transmitted across longer distances with greater clarity. 

Like physical media, the number of individuals investing in radio has gradually declined, especially as electric vehicle manufacturers have begun eliminating AM from new vehicles entirely. However, radio has maintained its appeal, primarily due to "the saving grace of the daily commute" (Statista). Most radio listening occurs in cars as people travel or commute to and from work. As a result, radio will remain a relevant media format for years until car manufacturers begin seamlessly integrating streaming services into vehicles, making services like Spotify and Apple Music easier to access than traditional radio. 

Above: Most new cars support Apple CarPlay or Android Auto, giving drivers access to convenient apps and their favorite streaming services. 

The Present: Immersive Concerts in the Metaverse

Over the past several centuries, concerts have been essential to the music-enjoying experience. Now, the metaverse has taken center stage to bring immersive concerts to fans worldwide. Virtual concerts in the metaverse emerged primarily during the COVID-19 pandemic, when large concerts and music festivals were restricted or cancelled entirely, and much of the world's population was under lockdown. Artists still wanted to create enjoyable events for their fans, so platforms such as Fortnite, Roblox, and Wave sought creative ways to host concerts and provide a sense of interconnectivity in an isolated world. 

Travis Scott's Fortnite concert in April 2020 remains one of the biggest virtual concerts ever held. The event occurred five times in three days, drawing over 45 million viewers and $20 million in revenue. Scott appeared as a giant virtual version of himself throughout the performance, "which transformed into different globe-headed avatars transported through a series of impossible landscapes" (NPR). During the 10-minute set, Scott premiered a new song, "THE SCOTTS," featuring rapper Kid Cudi. 

Another platform that has hosted a variety of virtual concerts is Roblox. The platform centers on user interaction, allowing users to experience virtual worlds created by themselves or others. As of 2025, Roblox has 380 million active monthly users.

The following is a list of artists who have held concerts on Roblox, along with the games or experiences that featured their performances:

• David Guetta - DJ Party Space Station
• Elton John - Elton John’s ‘Beyond the Yellow Brick Road’
• Ava Max - Ava Max Heaven & Hell Launch Party
• Lizzo - Logitech Song Breaker Awards
• Mariah Carey - Livetopia
• Twenty One Pilots - Twenty One Pilots Concert Experience

Twenty One Pilots - The Full Concert Experience

Metaverse concerts are made possible through the power of motion capture. As seen in the following video, Twenty One Pilots mapped their performance using special motion capture gear to ensure that their bodily and hand movements remained accurate. James Martin was the Actor Capture Technical Director for the project and chose to invest in Xsens apparel after it was successfully used in previous concert experiences.

"MVN Link suits were worn by the band as they performed, while Xsens Gloves by Manus were also used to ensure hand movements were accurately captured. Alongside this, James made use of the iPhone's AR[K]it to track the face movements of 21 Pilots (Movella).

Twenty One Pilots - "Suiting Up" For The Concert

The Future: Why the Metaverse?

Metaverse concerts offer many benefits, including increased safety, improved views, lower costs, no waiting in queues, and the ability for users to watch whenever they want. Overall, the advantages of these virtual events outweigh their negative aspects, making them a great alternative for those who cannot or do not wish to attend events in person. 

Advantages of Metaverse Concerts

Disadvantages of Metaverse Concerts

A Medium article published by Rujula Rao in 2022 is aptly titled, “Move Over, Coachella: The Best Concerts Are On Roblox.” According to Rao, Roblox has redefined the virtual concert experience. The platform simulates the excitement of real-life concerts, creating fully immersive events with captivating visuals and optimal viewing angles. Many virtual concerts also incorporate special features to provide the ultimate fan experience. For example, the Twenty One Pilots Concert Experience included

• a dynamic setlist that gave users the ability to vote for which song came next
• emotes, interactive features, and virtual merchandise available for purchase
• pre-concert minigames and scavenger hunts in specific Roblox experiences that offered Twenty One Pilots prizes and included portals to the pre-concert venue
• behind-the-scenes footage of the concert and a Q&A with the band

The possibilities for metaverse concerts are endless, as they can be adapted to suit the needs of artists and their audiences. By analyzing how well the concerts and related events perform, "artists can cater to their fans by tailoring experiences to what they know people will enjoy" (Rao). 

Above: Roblox's 2023 Super Bowl concert featured American rapper Saweetie

Jon Vlassopulos, the former Global Head of Music at Roblox, further stressed the potential of virtual gigs. "There will be new virtual music products and services for fans to buy and some artists will be able to launch and sustain successful careers virtually without ever having to play a real world show." The metaverse will allow bands or artists of any size to grow their fan bases and connect with fans in ways they would not have been able to otherwise. Fans will no longer need to travel long distances, spend a fortune on tickets or VIP passes, or battle large crowds to secure a great view. All they will need to do is log on to their computer and click "join."

Technological advancements have consistently transformed how we create, share, and experience music. Although some methods of listening to music have fallen out of style, they have all been part of a crucial evolution, bringing us into the digital landscape we know today and allowing us to truly enjoy music as a universal language that crosses geographical and cultural boundaries and is accessible to all. In the post-pandemic world, the metaverse will continue shaping how we consume music, bringing people together more than ever before.