Confused by headlines about the metaverse, music NFTs, vinyl shortages inadequate streaming income and more? You’re not alone, so we asked 9 smart music industry insiders what topics and changes they were focused on as we begin 2022.

• Jay Gilbert of Label Logic and Your Morning Coffee: “Artists will continue to find audience growth success outside of the traditional label ecosystem.” (more)

• Mark Mulligan and the team at MIDiA: “From social video, through to game streamers and independent artists, 2022 will be the year of the creator.” (more)

• Ariel Hyatt, founder of Cyber PR Music: “Work on your mindset. Put simply this is a collection of beliefs that make up your mental attitude and filter how you see the world.” (more)

• Jesse Kirshbaum, CMO of Dreamstage and Editor in Chief of Beats & Bytes: “2022 will shatter the record for most events and shows designed with a hybrid mentality.” (more)

• David Deal, founder and CEO of David J. Deal Consulting: “In 2022, the metaverse will become an economic force to be reckoned with.” (more)

• Bobby Borg and Michael Eames, authors of Introduction To Music Publishing For Musicians: “The business of synchronization (licensing in film, TV), will continue to rebound after its decrease during COVID-19.” (more)

• Tony van Veen, CEO of Disc Makers: “Frustrated with vinyl, the industry turns to the CD as the next physical media format.” (more)

Bruce Houghton is Founder and Editor of Hypebot and MusicThinkTank and serves as a Senior Advisor to Bandsintown which acquired both publications in 2019. He is the Founder and President of the Skyline Artists Agency and a professor for the Berklee College Of Music.