I had no idea that bands had been in decline like this data would suggest. The fact that collabs are now more frequent in the charts really surprises me too.
Everything is
X FEATURING Y these days. It’s like special guest star city.
The cult of the individual - feels like a reflection of our locked-in, stay-at-home, self(ie)-reverential society… Divide-and-rule’n’all that.
You don’t need to collaborate with others to make a noise any more. It will become the artistic equivalent of the lonely nutter breaking free from his devices, fleeing his bedroom, only to randomly stab strangers in the street.
Luckily we have AI to take over soundtracking our lives.
Also worth noting that if your ‘act’ is merely a hanger for slickly-produced, forgettable corporate dreck, one laughably over-inflated ego is easier to control (sorry, ‘manage’) than five. Considerably cheaper too.
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Want to split Spotify a paycheck 5 ways?
Many artists simply can’t afford to be in a band.
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Stuart Macconie has written at length over the years that the decline in music lessons in school (across loads of countries) has done in for the band. In terms of being talented with slender resources, the odds will always favour a solo act.
I think it’s (partly) the decline of the hegemony of white guys with guitar, bass and drums. Not necessarily a bad thing IMO.
These days I see a lot more two-piece acts and unconventional instruments.
There are dozens of reasons for the current situation, some larger than others. - Spotify is a major one but also: Solo acts don’t split up, require multiple stylists & media training etc. EDM also plays a part when rave culture hit guitar sales fell. Certainly there was a shift that continues today. Another aspect is if kids aren’t stimulated by bands, they are less likely to crave to be in one. Making money touring due to Brexit & the closure of hundreds of small venues are also chunky hurdles - All of this stuff goes into the pot. The way things are it is very difficult to be a professional musician in a band splitting costs from small venue gigs and have bread on the table.
Easier to manage, in all respects, an artist rather than a band.
There’s probably an element that whilst you still often need a band for a solo artist, it’s a lot cheaper long run to hire session musicians, pay them a fixed fee, and then the record company can capture more of the royalties.
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