From rising overheads to inflated ticket pricing, gig tickets are becoming more and more expensive. With the cost of living crisis also necessitating budget squeezes, many fans are being priced out of the scene. What role can brands and businesses play in affordably connecting people with music?

Beyoncé, Drake, and other major artists have dropped albums influenced by the dance-oriented sounds of disco and ‘90s house music. Beneath this nostalgic resurgence, what does this new wave of dance music show about people’s desire for social freedom after a period of political and civil upheaval?

In the wake of the pandemic, which suddenly halted live events, Americans are renegotiating their relationships with music and the spaces they engage with it. Canvas8 spoke to eight people across the country to find out how digital and IRL communities affect their connection with music subcultures.

Days Like This Brunch saw a gap in the UK events market, providing a safe space for unbridled Black joy. Combining food, music, and alcohol, the events company hosts daytime and evening parties for the Black diaspora in multiple countries. Now large corporations want in on the action.

Coca-Cola is turning consumers to fans through Coke Studio, a global music marketing platform that spotlights emerging musicians. By merging its cultural clout and uniting people via sound, Coke is catering to the growing interest in experiences over things, and desires to discover artistic talent.

The pandemic saw the music industry refocus its attention on climate matters as it came to a standstill. With artists, organisations, and audiences now engaging in the climate crisis conversation, what can the sector do to highlight these telling truths about sustainability going forward?

Modern Nigerian music is much more than Afrobeat. The market’s continued boom has made space for DJs and producers who lean into the foreign influence of EDM and electronic music to create a wholly original Nigerian EDM scene that serves as a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community.

Festivals are a big business and a huge opportunity for brands to emotionally connect with audiences at a celebratory time. But as greenwashing concerns continue to rise, how can businesses support sustainable change while tapping into major cultural moments within the music scene?

We all have an innate desire for social connectedness, and with live events back on the agenda post-lockdown, there are plenty of chances to build bonds IRL. Canvas8 spoke to Tim Hill, a marketing lecturer at the University of Bath, about the value of social rituals before, during, and after events.

With some clever rule changes, a more immersive stadium experience, and a little bit of Hollywood hype, the XFL has been relaunched as a springtime American football league. Will it be able to respond to the emergence of hybrid fandoms and learn to engage new audiences both online and IRL?

While younger cohorts are accustomed to buying online, they still appreciate the unique experiences and service offered through IRL retail. After tracking this behaviour in our Shopping Sector Snapshot, Canvas8 spoke to nine UK Gen Zers to understand what would entice them back into stores.

Apple Music’s karaoke feature, Sing, lets users take a shot at hitting the notes in their favourite songs. The feature points to the ways that music fandom and immersive experiences are allowing listeners to feel they’re participating more actively as co-authors in the culture they love and consume.

Digital fan culture is becoming a way for people to communicate and self-express, with social media platforms changing how people find belonging online. By tapping into viral social moments, Disney Parks’ TikTok is using its hyper-engaged fanbase to drive foot traffic to their offline venues.