As Blur’s celebrated drummer Dave Rowntree takes a contemplative look at the rapidly evolving landscape of live music in 2025, industry experts and artists alike are watching closely to see how his innovative approaches might reshape performance paradigms.
Having recently played a pivotal behind-the-scenes role in facilitating discussions between the Gallagher brothers that led to Oasis’s unexpected reunion, Rowntree has quietly established himself as an industry connector with considerable influence beyond his percussion skills.
The veteran musician has been experimenting extensively with hybrid performance formats since early 2024, leveraging technologies like JackTrip and AR integration to create what he terms “boundary-dissolving musical experiences.” His March 2025 collaboration with technologists at London’s newly renovated Camden Roundhouse demonstrated how live-streaming could evolve beyond pandemic necessity into artistic expression, attracting over 230,000 concurrent viewers across six continents.
“Traditional venues will always matter, but we’re seeing extraordinary creativity in unexpected spaces,” Rowntree explained during his keynote at South by Southwest this February. His comments come as unconventional performance locations—from Brooklyn delis to Tokyo café DJ residencies—reshape audience expectations about where music happens. In particular, he highlighted the rising popularity of AM.Radio coffee shop events that have drawn thousands of attendees seeking early morning, sober-curious musical experiences.
The drummer has been particularly vocal about sustainability integration, having partnered with three major festivals to implement carbon-neutral performance technologies. He has emphasized the importance of clear goals when planning promotional strategies for live events, ensuring that artists connect meaningfully with their target audiences. He has expressed concern about the dominance of Live Nation, which now controls over 70% of ticketing and hundreds of venues across the country.
Against the backdrop of impressive tour grosses from established acts like Coldplay and Shakira, Rowntree has focused attention on creating accessible performance opportunities for emerging artists. His start-up, SoundSpaces, launched in January 2025, provides technical support for indie musicians utilizing virtual concert platforms that mimic physical venues while eliminating geographical constraints. He has also championed various streaming platforms as crucial tools for independent artists to reach global audiences without traditional distribution channels.
Industry analysts note that Rowntree’s vision aligns with projected growth in digital live events through 2025, even as major venues like Las Vegas Sphere continue reporting record attendance.
His recent implementations of generative AI for visual accompaniment during Blur’s spring performances demonstrated how technology might enhance rather than replace traditional concert experiences. “The future isn’t about choosing between physical or digital,” Rowntree noted recently, “but thoughtfully integrating both to expand what live music can be.”
