August 28, 2026

Barrington Levy Calls For A Return To Vinyl Amid Streaming Concerns

Written byK'Shema Francis-Pitt

Reggae veteran Barrington Levy is calling for a return to the era of vinyl records, as he voices concerns about the economics of music in today’s streaming driven landscape.

 

Barrington Levy shared his views during an interview with UK based platform Nobody Is Really Watching at the WOMAD Festival, where he reflected on the value of physical music releases.

 

 

His comments come at a time when an increasing number of artistes have been questioning the financial returns from streaming, with many arguing that the “math is not adding up”.

 

For Barrington Levy, a return to physical formats such as vinyl could provide a different approach to how music is valued, purchased and consumed.

 

The discussion also highlights the broader conversation within the music industry about fair compensation for artistes and the challenges of earning sustainable income in an era where streaming has become the dominant way audiences access music.