While overall music streaming in the U.S. has hit a slowdown in 2025, country music is breaking the trend — and thriving. According to the Luminate 2025 Mid-Year Report, country ranks among the few genres still experiencing above-average streaming growth, alongside rock and Latin music.
Industry experts say this surge reflects a broader cultural shift: country music’s storytelling roots and growing crossover appeal are resonating with younger audiences and streaming listeners outside its traditional fan base. The genre’s leading names — from Morgan Wallen and Lainey Wilson to Luke Combs and Zach Bryan — continue to dominate playlists, while a wave of independent artists is finding success on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, and TikTok.
“Country music has managed to evolve without losing its heart,” said one Nashville-based producer. “It’s become the sound of authenticity in a digital age.”
As streaming platforms recalibrate their growth strategies, the genre’s resilience could make country music one of the industry’s most important players heading into 2026 — proof that a heartfelt lyric and a steel guitar still have power in the modern music economy.
(Source: Luminate 2025 Mid-Year Music Report, via The Independent)
