Electronic Music Report 2025–2026 from Elevate Artists explores electronic music industry growth, streaming revenue, touring challenges, emerging markets and artist development trends shaping the sector.
Elevate Artists has released The Electronic Music Report 2025–2026, a new industry study examining the state of the global electronic music sector and the trends shaping the market through the remainder of 2026. The report combines market data with commentary from professionals working across artist development, labels, music platforms and live events.
According to the report, the global electronic music market generated an estimated $15.1 billion in revenue during 2025, representing year-on-year growth of 7 per cent. However, the report argues that growth is unevenly distributed, with independent artists and smaller venues facing increasing economic pressure despite broader expansion across the sector.
Growth Continues Amid Structural Challenges
One of the report’s central findings is the growing dominance of streaming within recorded music. Streaming now accounts for 69 per cent of global recorded music revenue, while changes to platform monetisation models continue to affect independent artists operating at smaller scales. The report highlights concerns around royalty eligibility thresholds and the wider challenges of achieving visibility in an increasingly crowded digital marketplace.
The live sector also remains under pressure. Elevate Artists points to data suggesting that 64 per cent of independent venues in the United States are operating at a loss, creating additional challenges for artists developing touring careers. These venues have traditionally played an important role in bridging the gap between local recognition and larger festival appearances.
At the same time, the report identifies significant growth opportunities outside traditional music markets. The Middle East and North Africa region recorded growth of 22.8 per cent during 2025, while parts of Africa and Latin America continue to attract increased attention from labels, promoters and artists seeking new audiences.
Industry Contributors Highlight Long-Term Career Development
The report includes interviews with seven professionals from across the electronic music industry. Contributors include representatives from Beatport, Defected Records, Solid Grooves and other organisations involved in artist development and music distribution.
Among the themes emerging from these conversations is the growing importance of community building and audience relationships. Contributors suggest that artists increasingly need to focus on creating meaningful engagement with listeners rather than relying solely on traditional marketing or short-term promotional tactics.
Beyond Virality
Several interviewees also stress the value of artistic identity and consistency. The report notes that while viral moments can increase visibility, sustainable career growth is more often linked to developing a recognisable sound, maintaining quality output and cultivating long-term audience loyalty.
These observations reflect wider discussions taking place across the music industry, where artists face growing competition for attention and revenue. As digital platforms continue to evolve, the ability to build direct relationships with audiences has become increasingly important for career sustainability.
Full contents
- Global market analysis – revenue, growth markets and regional breakdowns
- The streaming landscape and what platform changes mean for independent artists
- Live and touring – the pressure on independent venues and what it means for career development
- Sound and genre – the trends shaping the dancefloor in 2026
- Marketing, content and social media – what is working and what is already dead
- Audience behaviour and culture shifts
- A practical playbook for emerging artists, mid-tier artists, labels, promoters and content strategists
- In-depth interviews with seven leading voices including contributors from Beatport, Defected Records, Solid Grooves, Pikes Ibiza and more
Download the report for free here.
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