"Gen Z, in particular, seems to see physical formats as an antidote to the fast-consumerism world they're living in."
2025 will bring some amazing anniversary box sets
Jamie:Ā 2025 will mark 50 years since 1975, a year that gave us some of the most notable albums ever released, Wish You Were Here, A Night at The Opera, Young Americans and Fleetwood Mac, just to name a few. With such a significant anniversary for music, we’re anticipating some truly special tribute releases. Given the wealth of content available for many of these albums, box sets seem highly likely. Touching on my earlier point, the rising interest in the 70s among younger generations is hardly surprising, especially in today’s fast-paced, social media-driven world. There’s an increasing desire for something tangibleāsomething people can truly value in an age dominated by fleeting digital moments. Physical formats, in many ways, stand as a rebellion against this culture, offering a chance to slow down and truly savour the experience. And what better way to do that than with a box set from your favourite artist?
Karen:Ā 1975 was a huge year for rock music, and these anniversaries present an opportunity to celebrate such iconic releases with some incredible box sets. It’s also interesting to think about how 1975 marked the end of the big stadium rock era, right before punk burst into the scene. Jamie also raised an important point about why younger generations are turning to physical formats. Gen Z, in particular, seems to see physical formats as an antidote to the fast-consumerism world they’re living in. That’s why albums are more than just a product; they’re an opportunity to take some time out, dive into a piece of music, and connect with it on a deeper level.
Rising demand for bespoke products will drive more special editionsāÆĀ
Jamie:Ā In recent years, we’ve witnessed a significant surge in the popularity of special edition releases, pushing the boundaries of physical music to new heights. There’s a growing demand for highly bespoke versions of frontline releases, which has led to more innovative and daring creative marketing strategies. This trend is also expanding into areas like film, TV, and gaming soundtracks, with vinyl becoming an increasingly sought-after format. A great example of this is the liquid-filled Saltburn vinyl, which brilliantly merges different worlds to create something truly special, capturing the imagination of fans in a unique way.
Karen:Ā With the rising demand for bespoke products, there’s so much potential to grow the quality of the products. Here at Key Production Group, we’ve been able to do some really exciting things, such as glow-in-the-dark vinyl, pop-up sleeves and scented vinyl. Having seen the development of so many interesting formats this past year, we’ve set up a product design group to see how far we can push the boundaries on that special product.
2025 will see customers start to embrace SMART products, blending the physical and digital worldsĀ
Karen:Ā Last year, Key Production Group launched a groundbreaking way for musicians to release their music, SMART formats. SMART formats blend physical products with bonus digital content, giving artists the chance to release exclusive material to fans through physical formats. This year has been all about building awareness for SMART formats, but I believe 2025 will be the year we truly see artists start to embrace them.
Jamie:Ā Definitely!Ā Over the past year, there has been a lot of interest in SMART formats, particularly since we’ve started incorporating them into vinyl releases and even the product itself! Looking ahead, I think we will see even more fusion between the physical and digital realms as people begin to fully grasp the potential of these technologies. A prime example is the Grammy-nominated Alpha Wolf box set, which featured an NFC tag that granted fans access to an exclusive digital space. The possibilities for artists to connect with their fans using SMART formats are virtually endless, and I believe this year we will really see this kick off.
Superfans will want closer, more personal access to their favourite artists
Karen:Ā It’s fair to say that superfans was one of the buzzwords of 2024, but as we look towards next year, anyone who counts themself as a fan or superfan, is going to want even closer, more personal access to their favourite artist. With the number of superfans growing, the demand for more specialised products will increase, and that is going to drive the development of bespoke items even further.āÆThere are more options than ever before, and what is achievable in boxsets and through SMART NFC technology is practically limitless. I think we’re going to see artists finding completely new ways to connect with their fanbases in a way that has never been done before.
