2022 List of 2022 Lists
Wrapping up the year in a nice little bow isn’t easy. But that doesn’t stop every website on God’s great Internet from trying.
Rather than add to the cacophony, we’d rather recommend a few salient lists published by others for your reading pleasure.
Happy Holidays. We’ll see you in the new year.
1. The 10 Biggest Music Business Stories & Trends of 2022
“As 2022 comes to a close, the music business can look back on another hectic year: turnover at the top levels of several big companies; record-breaking successes in several sectors of the industry; and some major headlines coming from sometimes unexpected places, all of which captured the attention of the music business over the past nearly 12 months.” (Billboard)
2. 15 Key Moments From the Fights for Musicians’ Rights in 2022
“We’re really sorry to end on an almighty down note, but charity Help Musicians’ recent research was a vital reminder of why the debates around royalties and the sustainability of music careers matter.” (MusicAlly)
3. Google Releases Its Top 10 Most-Searched Songs — Just One Is by a Western Artist
“Google shares the trending searches of 2022, revealing that only one of the top ten most-searched songs of the year came from a Western artist. The list features several Indonesian and Japanese singers, a reggaeton-inspired Pakistani track, and one from Nigerian singer-songwriter Burna Boy.” (Digital Music News)
4. The 15 Best Music Books of 2022
“Whether it was a fond remembrance of a lost friend through the lens of ’90s pop culture, an impassioned testimonial to the power of Black women in pop, an intimate look at the life of a hip-hop genius, or Nick Cave’s frank conversations on grief and loss, the best music books this year kept it personal.” (Pitchfork)
5. 38 Key Music/Tech Funding Rounds in 2022
“Think of it as a primer on the interesting startups, services and platforms that investors believed had potential and momentum in 2022 – apart from the one that collapsed just months after its nine-digit funding round, which we’ve included as a cautionary tale.” (MusicAlly)
6. 13 Musical Gear Trends of 2022
“Over the past year, people have embraced musical gear like never before. Some picked up an instrument for the first time, discovering a creative outlet that will last the rest of their lives. Casual players dug deeper into their instruments, contributing to the popularity of music lessons. Longtime musicians honed their craft and upgraded their setups.” (Guitar Center)
