14/01/2026
Here are the music trends we expect to see in 2026: a resurgence of physical media like vinyl, CDs, even cassettes; growth in lo-tech listening – MP3 players, OG iPods; smaller shows & house concerts over mega-festivals; a rise of niche fan communities over mass-culture fandom; a turn toward intentional listening instead of generated playlists; and a rise in curated indie music pages & artist-run blogs.
2026 is shaping up to be the year of tech resistance, nostalgia-maxxing, and intentionality – but that’s just our 2 cents. Tech isn’t going anywhere, but whether or not you choose to optimize your life to the max, or enjoy a little more friction will always be up to you.
What do you think — will you shift toward lo-tech music listening this year?