This month: Von Dutch is launching a new brand aimed at Gen Z; Young men are finding brotherhood in quitting Zyn; DIY personal care on TikTok has become the latest #RecessionIndicator among young consumers; and a new wave of talk show hosts are taking over.
Live music’s next frontier
It’s often assumed that live music already represents an authentically raw and immersive experience for attendees, but many festival lovers may suggest that the focus has recently shifted towards a more commodified experience that includes food & drink, wellness, and other brand activations, sometimes at the expense of pure musical enjoyment.
Is it time, therefore, that emerging technology comes along and reinforces music’s place at the heart of the experience? Live music’s next frontier is here to respond with Polygon Live, a new London festival that recently utilised a spatial audio experience delivered through a 360° open-air sphere of speakers, designed to create a fully immersive cocoon of live music and lights.
As prices for live music continue to rise year-on-year, there is more pressure on events to deliver a fulfilling time for their audiences. Could audiences start to forego these unreliable, increasingly distanced relationships between themselves and the music, in favour of a set-up that allows them to truly live in the moment?
Gossip with a Conscience
The urge to gossip can sometimes be irresistible, but balancing that with the guilt and fear of being exposed can be inevitable. Fear not, because the most scandalous and talked about rumour mill is coming from a fictional ‘group chat’ series taking over TikTok. The hit was devised by creator Sydney Robinson, who was inspired to recreate a realistic group chat ‘meltdown’ to demonstrate the universal experiences that women have. Since the release of the first skit, it has accumulated over 33 million views, and celebrities like Charlie Puth have agreed to feature in later episodes.
What does this tell us about our evolving media tastes? Content can tap into our urges and fascinations in very real and immersive ways. If a genre like true crime feeds our desire to place ourselves at the heart of drama, where we can feel like the truth-seekers unravelling the story in front of us, there is an opportunity for content to reflect these desires without causing real-world harm. Could these fictional, true-to-life scandals be a new format in themselves?
Will AI-lationships replace human connection?
AI companions that mimic emotional support, romance or even love- are rising while IRL connections sink. A study conducted by the digital companion platform, Joi AI found that an alarming portion (83%) of Generation Z say they could form a “deep emotional bond” with an AI-generated partner, while 80% said they would even consider marrying one – if it was legal. But according to Jaime Bronstein, a licensed relationship therapist and relationship expert at Joi AI, “AI-lationships are not intended to replace real human connections. Instead, they provide a distinct type of emotional support that can enhance your overall emotional well-being. Today, many people are feeling stressed, overwhelmed, unheard, and alone.“
While AI companionship can bring a sense of comfort, it also stirs up some thought-provoking dilemmas. Those most drawn to these digital bonds often spend long hours online or find it difficult to connect through traditional romantic channels. As AI grows more emotionally intelligent and easier to relate to, it may be subtly rewriting the script for what people expect from real-world relationships.