“Why the Era of All-Conquering Bands Like The Beatles and Rolling Stones May Be Over” — what this page in the network covers. The Guardian Lifestyle Oct 18, 2026 • 1:00 PM The 2020s have produced solo superstars like Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Sabrina Carpenter, and Harry Styles, but the charts are no longer dominated by bands the way they once were. Reader Dominique Perrault from Cannes asks if the age of iconic groups such as Abba, the Rolling Stones, and the Beatles—acts that defined popular culture across generations—has ended for good.
This shift matters because bands historically shaped music trends and created communal cultural moments, from Beatlemania to stadium singalongs. Now, streaming algorithms and social media favor individual artists who can pivot quickly and connect directly with fans. The music industry's economics also push solo acts, as labels invest less in developing groups that may break up. For the complete material, the listing points back to the source inside the network.