> The one anomaly bucking that trend are all of these K-pop groups that are very popular and viral right now.
I’d argue, that those aren’t bands in the same intuitive sense as The Beatles or Radiohead, but manufactured brands owned by producers, who hire the “band members” as employees. This concept has been around the music business for a long time. From The Monkeys to Milli Vanilli to Spice Girls and many more.
Also: Many so called bands were effectively solo artists operating under a brand name. Sometimes with very long term employees (band members) sometimes only for a limited run of projects (albums and/or tours). From ELO to NIN and countless others.
I’d argue, that those aren’t bands in the same intuitive sense as The Beatles or Radiohead, but manufactured brands owned by producers, who hire the “band members” as employees. This concept has been around the music business for a long time. From The Monkeys to Milli Vanilli to Spice Girls and many more.
Also: Many so called bands were effectively solo artists operating under a brand name. Sometimes with very long term employees (band members) sometimes only for a limited run of projects (albums and/or tours). From ELO to NIN and countless others.
And then there is “Yes”.