Vinyl is Back in 2025 – And it’s All Thanks to Generation Z!
New Vinyl Alliance Study Focuses on Gen Z
3,5 / 5,0 | 
“Vinyl is back” – that’s the message of the latest report of Vinyl Alliance. And we have Generation Z to thank for this revival. For today’s 15- to 29-year-olds, vinyl is back! Does this trend represent an opportunity for music creators to generate revenue outside of streaming, merchandising and concerts? We hope so …
Vinyl is Back – And Gen Z is Partly Responsible
Hey, how about some good news? We do – and it’s about vinyl. Because vinyl is still very much in vogue. And who do we have to thank for that? That’s right, Generation Z! Depending on how you define it, they are young people between the ages of 15 and 29. A survey by Vinyl Alliance focuses on 18- to 24-year-olds and is interested in their consumption habits when it comes to records. Vinyl is back!
More than 2,500 people in the United States, England and Germany were interviewed for the study. The results show that up to 76 percent of Generation Z regularly buy records at least once a month. And 29 percent consider themselves to be serious collectors.
For 50 percent of these young vinyl fans, their enthusiasm for an analog and physical medium is a kind of “digital detox”. 61 percent want to change their more digital music consumption by listening to records – for better mental well-being. It is no longer about LPs that end up on the wall as decoration. 87 percent are interested in the sound of records – they’re always told they sound great. And 80 percent of Gen Z respondents own a record player. Vinyl is back – definitely!
Social media is playing a crucial role in the new popularity of vinyl. According to the Vinyl Alliance report, there are over 39 million posts about vinyl on Instagram alone. Vinyl covers just look great!
In this context, it is interesting to note that the CD – a medium that was declared dead by many – is also experiencing a revival. And again, Generation Z seems to be making a contribution.
An Opportunity for Music Creators?
Looking at these figures, the question naturally arises as to whether vinyl is a new way for bands and solo artists to generate revenue from their own music – apart from streaming (good joke!), concerts or merch.
Those who already have a certain fan base are certainly making money from the sale of recordings, as can be seen from the endless flood of reissues of famous albums. For many lesser-known musicians, however, the cost of producing vinyl may still be a financial risk. But it can be calculated – especially for bands. The effort can be shared.
And it doesn’t have to be LPs that are offered through Bandcamp, your own website, or at concerts. A single is also very interesting for music fans. Sometimes they’re even so obsessed that they buy multiple copies of an album, EP or single – at least that’s what we’ve heard from people we know.
Still, compared to the “golden days,” records remain a niche product. But for independent artists, the current trend is still good news. With the new boom, the idea (or even the dream) of releasing on vinyl is more obvious than it has been in recent years, and definitely worth considering.
What do you think of this development? Do you like listening to vinyl or do you prefer CDs or even streaming music? How much money do you spend on music per month?
Further Information on Vinyl is Back
This might also interest you
One response to “Vinyl is Back in 2025 – And it’s All Thanks to Generation Z!”
And thanks to those that are willing to do the effort to put the money without any guarantee to break- even…