AI + Music --> What will the future look like?

[Mike777]

People of all kind still like live music. I don't see AI replacing live music, played by live musicians, anytime soon, be it a festival, concert, or jazz club.

There's a reason "Coachella draws hundreds of thousands of attendees each spring...". The music and the live musicians. Some of the music may have been created in part with AI but a good live musician will attract an audience. Some people travel 100's miles just to watch a fav musician.

I would say the more intimate the live music the better. To hear pro musicians play acoustic (especially) instruments up close (if you can) is the ultimate music experience imo. AI is nowhere to be found in that setting.

[Bunny_boy]

People of all kind still like live music. I don't see AI replacing live music, played by live musicians, anytime soon, be it a festival, concert, or jazz club.

Music venues are shutting at an alarming rate while festival are becoming more corporate and their prices are shooting up

[vurt]

People of all kind still like live music. I don't see AI replacing live music, played by live musicians, anytime soon, be it a festival, concert, or jazz club.

Music venues are shutting at an alarming rate while festival are becoming more corporate and their prices are shooting up

i foresee a reprisal in local live music, small bands in small rooms...
people will still want to make music, even if only those people, ever go to other musicians gigs, it's still a niche market, ripe for exploiting!

[ksandvik]

Some cities are just plain hostile concerning live clubs, unnecessary low noise levels, all kinds of odd rules and regulations. And people don't go to live events that easily unless it's a known artist (thank you video games and Netflix.)

[Frantz]

We – you, me, all musicians who truly compose – have explored the vast
creative realm of human inventiveness and accomplished incredible things
there – and continue to do so. It has become an important part of our identity.
And is all of that supposed to end now? Because AI, Suno, and the like can
do all of this at a moment's notice, at a "prompt" – and will do it even more
perfectly in the future?

Should we give up all of that—our own creativity and identity—and shrug
and say, "That's just progress"?

I have already invested a lot of time making music and I still enjoy it, so I have no plans to stop. I think the only impact A.I. music has on me is to make me emphasize my individuality and make quirkier choices. There is no point in trying to make a perfect dance track, for example, since A.I. is going to excel at that. I might as well pursue my own weird ideas that an algorithm is unlikely to generate.

Remember computers can destroy any human at chess now but people are still playing chess. Humans gotta keep humaning.

[Bunny_boy]

There is no point in trying to make a perfect dance track, for example, since A.I. is going to excel at that. I might as well pursue my own weird ideas that an algorithm is unlikely to generate.

Yeah, AI will be great for corporate techno for playing at fashion shows, but it's not like it's going to recreate the back catalogue of Warp Records. Plus perfection is highly subjective

[enroe]

So not "just any" background music, but iconic hit songs, composed of
familiar elements, yet new. Songs that will conquer popular platforms like
Spotify, dominate TV and radio stations, and even increase the "hit rate."
For teenagers and listeners, this will be a new, perhaps great, era. However,
human creativity—and thus the individual musician—will no longer play a
role in this game.

The question for me is:

• How will we as musicians react when AI creates complete, and truly good songs?

• What significance will composing music even have if we give free rein to AI?

• How should society react to this – in an ideal world?

Depending on the requirements dictated by your musical tastes, AI may already be at a sufficient level of sophistication. For me, the majority of 'iconic hit songs' are shit, but then I'm more interested in classical music.

Music became less important to youth culture a long time ago, really since social media. Prior to the kind of instant communication that we have now, the need for social predictability and a shared set of symbols/norms lent music a special status.

If there's still a need for music in the pop template in the future, it's quite feasible that it gets generated automatically as a result of one's social media interactions, i.e. it'll just pop up in your feed etc. Or you can just have an endless stream of new songs generated on the fly according to some choices.

For years now corporate pop music has been recycling every permutation of euphemism for sex/romance, for every audience. Oh, so hot, so cold, ice cold, fever, you left me, I want you back, I don't want you back, I can get all the bitches I want with my gangsta factor, my T & A are the best etc. May as well have AI take over there.

However, people are weird... there are different markets. Teenagers and 'idol' type bands, that seems to be an enduring phenomenon. I guess there's a formative window around the age of 12-16 where it's common to latch onto examples of... er, people.
People who go to clubs, apparently, seem to want to imagine that there's some kind of special DJ figure who's doing more than pressing the play button.
People go to see 'live' bands who are miming.... all kinds of weird nonsense.
So who knows which of those things will somehow endure in an era where AI is ubiquitous?

Presumably some people will still want to see real people playing real instruments, jazz, rock, classical etc., but I don't imagine that will be a huge market.

Can music still be a kind of sonic imprint, an expression of the times as lived by the artist? Maybe, but there's certainly less of a need for that sort of thing. People can simply talk about their experiences now, create podcasts etc., speak instantly with anyone anywhere.

I think it's more likely that the extra plasticity will allow for ever-evolving background music in games, and interactive environments will dominate entertainment. And also learning, i.e. virtual learning environments.

Ah, I see, you are considering the function of music in society.

In short, you're saying: Music has lost significant importance since the
advent of social media. It's no longer a defining element and hallmark of a
generation, but rather mutates into a kind of accessory and background for
other forms of entertainment and communication. The AI-driven music
generation of the future is more of a "final act" that will only further reduce its
significance to virtually zero, as it will be readily available anytime, anywhere,
and will function as "accessory" or "decoration" for other content.

Hmm, yes, that will probably be the case. But it's also the final nail in the
coffin for any human, original emotional composition. And that includes jazz
music—at least in part—and classical music. When will the AI ​​version of
Beethoven's 27th be released? Soon!

[zerocrossing]

So not "just any" background music, but iconic hit songs, composed of
familiar elements, yet new. Songs that will conquer popular platforms like
Spotify, dominate TV and radio stations, and even increase the "hit rate."
For teenagers and listeners, this will be a new, perhaps great, era. However,
human creativity—and thus the individual musician—will no longer play a
role in this game.

The question for me is:

• How will we as musicians react when AI creates complete, and truly good songs?

• What significance will composing music even have if we give free rein to AI?

• How should society react to this – in an ideal world?

Depending on the requirements dictated by your musical tastes, AI may already be at a sufficient level of sophistication. For me, the majority of 'iconic hit songs' are shit, but then I'm more interested in classical music.

Music became less important to youth culture a long time ago, really since social media. Prior to the kind of instant communication that we have now, the need for social predictability and a shared set of symbols/norms lent music a special status.

If there's still a need for music in the pop template in the future, it's quite feasible that it gets generated automatically as a result of one's social media interactions, i.e. it'll just pop up in your feed etc. Or you can just have an endless stream of new songs generated on the fly according to some choices.

For years now corporate pop music has been recycling every permutation of euphemism for sex/romance, for every audience. Oh, so hot, so cold, ice cold, fever, you left me, I want you back, I don't want you back, I can get all the bitches I want with my gangsta factor, my T & A are the best etc. May as well have AI take over there.

However, people are weird... there are different markets. Teenagers and 'idol' type bands, that seems to be an enduring phenomenon. I guess there's a formative window around the age of 12-16 where it's common to latch onto examples of... er, people.
People who go to clubs, apparently, seem to want to imagine that there's some kind of special DJ figure who's doing more than pressing the play button.
People go to see 'live' bands who are miming.... all kinds of weird nonsense.
So who knows which of those things will somehow endure in an era where AI is ubiquitous?

Presumably some people will still want to see real people playing real instruments, jazz, rock, classical etc., but I don't imagine that will be a huge market.

Can music still be a kind of sonic imprint, an expression of the times as lived by the artist? Maybe, but there's certainly less of a need for that sort of thing. People can simply talk about their experiences now, create podcasts etc., speak instantly with anyone anywhere.

I think it's more likely that the extra plasticity will allow for ever-evolving background music in games, and interactive environments will dominate entertainment. And also learning, i.e. virtual learning environments.

Ah, I see, you are considering the function of music in society.

In short, you're saying: Music has lost significant importance since the
advent of social media. It's no longer a defining element and hallmark of a
generation, but rather mutates into a kind of accessory and background for
other forms of entertainment and communication. The AI-driven music
generation of the future is more of a "final act" that will only further reduce its
significance to virtually zero, as it will be readily available anytime, anywhere,
and will function as "accessory" or "decoration" for other content.

Hmm, yes, that will probably be the case. But it's also the final nail in the
coffin for any human, original emotional composition. And that includes jazz
music—at least in part—and classical music. When will the AI ​​version of
Beethoven's 27th be released? Soon!

The idea that music that's meant to be accompanied by a performance being less-than some stand alone music that one experiences on its own is silly. Is opera less-than? Is musical theater less-than?

I'd postulate that all music is experienced in some "context." Even if you're in your living room listening to an album with your friends, you've probably had a few mind altering substances, even if that means some beers. Going to a concert is a whole social thing, because no one really goes to hear the music well. I can't even stand recordings of many types of music that I'm perfectly happy seeing in a live context. Most dance music doesn't stand up to the sofa-hifi experience, unless it's nostalgic for a time you experienced it in a club.

My daughter's really into music, but other than a (thankfully) brief obsession with Taylor Swift, it's been musicals. The first that I can think of was Frozen, closely followed by Moana. A lot of Disney and Pixar stuff, but now it's broadway type shows. We just took her to see Six (a play about the 6 wives of Henry The 8th) for her second time. She constantly listens to the soundtrack album.

What was I listening to at 12? Probably whatever was on the radio on the way to wherever my mother was driving us to. I remember liking some Wings songs and Got To Get You Into My Life and having it explained that it was the same singer. I did watch a lot of Monkees and Partridge Family. I didn't own any music that I purchased myself until I was probably 14, but a lot of what came before was coupled with some sort of visual. Hell, the first time I saw The Wall was as a movie. MTV reigned supreme for many years. Now I imagine kids are getting that on TikTok.

Sometimes I do wonder if there will ever be music like Pink Floyd again. Maybe not. I don't know if we have the right discontent, drugs and free time needed to become that. Maybe it exists and is just buried under the endless torrent of music posted every day. Some woman posted, "why don't my music posts ever go viral," and I thought, "probably because they're sh!t," and I gave her vide a chance and discovered it was quite good.



Maybe not your genre, but if Industrial Gothy stuff is your bag, it's well done and as good as most stuff I've heard. So... how did I find that? I just stumbled upon it from a random post on Bluesky that got almost no likes or shares. I probably could (should) do more hunting for good music, but I spend most of the time I used to listen to music making music for myself, so that's something.

[enroe]

The idea that music that's meant to be accompanied by a performance being less-than some stand alone music that one experiences on its own is silly. Is opera less-than? Is musical theater less-than?

I'd postulate that all music is experienced in some "context." Even if you're in your living room listening to an album with your friends, you've probably had a few mind altering substances, even if that means some beers. Going to a concert is a whole social thing, because no one really goes to hear the music well. I can't even stand recordings of many types of music that I'm perfectly happy seeing in a live context. Most dance music doesn't stand up to the sofa-hifi experience, unless it's nostalgic for a time you experienced it in a club.

My daughter's really into music, but ...

Of course, musical taste and a kind of "listening culture" develop
in a social context and also in connection with performances (live,
musical, opera, ... ) and images (music videos, music films, ...).

But still, the music – at least if you take it seriously – has a quality
all its own. By that I mean only the piece of music itself, not the
surrounding context or the performance.

And that's precisely what this is about – the music itself:
Beethoven's Ninth, Albinoni, or Bach: It's the music itself that
evokes the feeling! The Beatles in the 60s: There were live
concerts with screaming teenagers, sure, but it's the music itself
that has survived to this day and that people continue to listen to.
And the same goes for the "Great New Music of the 70s," meaning
Uriah Heep, Genesis, Pink Floyd, etc. It's the music itself – even on
its own – that makes it so special.

By saying that music is "only" received and perceived in context,
you are essentially evading the issue and saying: "Music has
never really been important - and with AI it certainly won't be in
the future."

And that's not quite right: Since the 1960s, there has been an
incredible cultural shift; vinyl records were bought to listen to the
music itself. The context, the connection, was often only established
later. The music itself was enhanced by the record covers.

Then we transitioned to CDs, where the covers were unfortunately
smaller and less prominent. But it was always about the music itself.
When someone here at KVR composes and presents a song, only
very late in the process do people ask: What colors did you use?
Or who are you playing the song live for?

No! The most important question is: How does the song sound –
played entirely on its own through the speakers?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the 2000s, a development began that made music alone – the
pure song – seem less important: The internet and social media
practically destroyed the business of the major record companies,
which also promoted "the pure song": Today, every song is
available online – freely accessible to everyone.

This "free availability" for everyone may have something
"democratic" about it, but it somewhat devalues ​​the individual
song.

With AI that can instantly generate a new song at the touch of a
button, "the pure song" will soon be completely devalued and
relegated to the status of a byproduct of online content. There
may well have been moments of emotion and goosebumps when
someone focused on a single song or watched a live concert
performed in the style of the past. But those times will be over
with AI.

[jancivil]

AI has no bearing on or any relationship to my life. If I had grandchildren I'd have to invest in showing them what's what and fighting this disease they call AI. I think it should have nothing whatever to do with creating music or any art. It's just corrupt. As a tool to do mechanical things, that are directed by beings with actual intelligence I have no problem with it.

But there's just me. I never made music with commercial intent. I participated in a demo recording when I was 16 or 17, t'wasn't my song just something fun to do... it wasn't a real strong song except for my guitar solo.
by that time I was already seeing the seamy side of the business because of the connection with UA. Later he was the procurer for when those acts came to town, got the coke and the women together and all that.

I was hip to the serious side of music by the time I was 18. I wound up composing music few people are gonna care about, music qua music. Some of it has been highly regarded but nothing to capitalize on.
Nobody is very likely to go to YT and grab my tracks and train an AI and I wind up fighting that, there's no percentage in it.

AFAIC, commercial {POP} music can take a dive that's long overdue, spiritual death for a generation. If youse has bought into it, I'm sorry, them's the breaks.

[Bombadil]

While my tastes don‘t extend as far as yours, I have enough real music from my favourite eras (1963-1977, 1300-1800s) to keep my soul happy. I have been dismayed at the devaluation of music in my lifetime. There‘s about 12 tenants in our building. Our flat is the only one with music playing regularly, if at all. Most of the other tenants are between 20s-40s. No music. A few will smile at me, and even fewer remark that they love the music I play.
Anyway. I have the music that is essential for my existence.
I‘m an old man yelling at clouds, I know.
I‘ve made my position on AI in music composition clear: it is anathema to me. I agree entirely with you that it is indeed corrupt.

[zerocrossing]

The idea that music that's meant to be accompanied by a performance being less-than some stand alone music that one experiences on its own is silly. Is opera less-than? Is musical theater less-than?

I'd postulate that all music is experienced in some "context." Even if you're in your living room listening to an album with your friends, you've probably had a few mind altering substances, even if that means some beers. Going to a concert is a whole social thing, because no one really goes to hear the music well. I can't even stand recordings of many types of music that I'm perfectly happy seeing in a live context. Most dance music doesn't stand up to the sofa-hifi experience, unless it's nostalgic for a time you experienced it in a club.

My daughter's really into music, but ...

Of course, musical taste and a kind of "listening culture" develop
in a social context and also in connection with performances (live,
musical, opera, ... ) and images (music videos, music films, ...).

But still, the music – at least if you take it seriously – has a quality
all its own. By that I mean only the piece of music itself, not the
surrounding context or the performance.

And that's precisely what this is about – the music itself:
Beethoven's Ninth, Albinoni, or Bach: It's the music itself that
evokes the feeling! The Beatles in the 60s: There were live
concerts with screaming teenagers, sure, but it's the music itself
that has survived to this day and that people continue to listen to.
And the same goes for the "Great New Music of the 70s," meaning
Uriah Heep, Genesis, Pink Floyd, etc. It's the music itself – even on
its own – that makes it so special.

By saying that music is "only" received and perceived in context,
you are essentially evading the issue and saying: "Music has
never really been important - and with AI it certainly won't be in
the future."

And that's not quite right: Since the 1960s, there has been an
incredible cultural shift; vinyl records were bought to listen to the
music itself. The context, the connection, was often only established
later. The music itself was enhanced by the record covers.

Then we transitioned to CDs, where the covers were unfortunately
smaller and less prominent. But it was always about the music itself.
When someone here at KVR composes and presents a song, only
very late in the process do people ask: What colors did you use?
Or who are you playing the song live for?

No! The most important question is: How does the song sound –
played entirely on its own through the speakers?

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In the 2000s, a development began that made music alone – the
pure song – seem less important: The internet and social media
practically destroyed the business of the major record companies,
which also promoted "the pure song": Today, every song is
available online – freely accessible to everyone.

This "free availability" for everyone may have something
"democratic" about it, but it somewhat devalues ​​the individual
song.

With AI that can instantly generate a new song at the touch of a
button, "the pure song" will soon be completely devalued and
relegated to the status of a byproduct of online content. There
may well have been moments of emotion and goosebumps when
someone focused on a single song or watched a live concert
performed in the style of the past. But those times will be over
with AI.

OK, doomer.

You’re forgetting about one vital thing. Humans like to do stuff. Factory made packaged foods didn’t stop restaurants. Restaurants didn’t stop people from cooking their own food. Theoretically, there’s already enough recorded music from humans that we could all just stop and enjoy what we have, but we don’t. This is no different. We may even see a new generation of musicians that bring back small venue performances.

[zerocrossing]

While my tastes don‘t extend as far as yours, I have enough real music from my favourite eras (1963-1977, 1300-1800s) to keep my soul happy. I have been dismayed at the devaluation of music in my lifetime. There‘s about 12 tenants in our building. Our flat is the only one with music playing regularly, if at all. Most of the other tenants are between 20s-40s. No music. A few will smile at me, and even fewer remark that they love the music I play.
Anyway. I have the music that is essential for my existence.
I‘m an old man yelling at clouds, I know.
I‘ve made my position on AI in music composition clear: it is anathema to me. I agree entirely with you that it is indeed corrupt.

How do you know that they’re not listening to music on their Air Pods?

[Bombadil]

Possible. Unlikely.

[zerocrossing]

Everyone is excited about being alive at the end of the story.