The 2025 NAMM Show at the Anaheim Convention Center (January 20–24, 2026) was a massive celebration of music, gear, and technology, bringing together over 63,000 attendees, including 10,700 international visitors. With 1,850 exhibitors representing 4,400+ brands, nearly 8,700 artists, 250+ education sessions featuring 650+ speakers, and 1,600 media, influencers, and content creators (👉 😬 👈) reaching over 200 million followers, the event reaffirmed its status as the premier gathering for musicians, producers, engineers, and industry professionals.
John Mlynczak, NAMM President and CEO, described the event as more than just a trade show—it’s where the global music products industry comes together as a family. “This is the world’s largest gathering of the music products industry,” Mlynczak explained. “Everyone who makes, manufactures, sells, distributes, teaches, and uses any music product is here. We have 123 countries represented, ~65,000 people, students, artists, and everyone in between. They gather to do business, but more importantly, they gather to be family.” This spirit of community and innovation was evident throughout the event, from the show floor and product unveilings to the educational sessions and performances.
As I walked the show floor and attended sessions throughout the event, a theme emerged—Innovation & Nostalgia.
This balance between new and old was evident in everything from AI-assisted music tools like ROLI’s AI-powered, hand-tracking Piano (Stevie Wonder even sat down to play) to remastered amplifier designs such as Marshall’s Modified Series. It was also reflected in synthesizers like the fourth-generation Korg Kronos, which is reintroduced bringing with it the legacy of its predecessors with a powerful new synth engine and expanded workstation capabilities, and guitars such as Gibson’s ES-335 Custom Color Series, which revives a timeless classic with fresh finishes and premium craftsmanship.
Tune in to my podcast discussion with my ITSPmagazine Podcasts co-founder and fellow music enthusiast, Marco Ciappelli, where we dive into my 2025 NAMM Show experience, exploring the latest gear, industry trends, and the balance of innovation and tradition in music! 🎙️ 🎶 🚀
Highlights from The 2025 NAMM Show
The event kicked off with Media Day, featuring an exciting lineup of top brands showcasing their latest innovations. Some of the standout brands present included: Akai Professional / AKAI Digital, AmpRx, Avid, C.F. Martin & Co , DPA Microphones , Drum Workshop, Inc. (DW Drums), Ear Trumpet Labs , Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, Gibson, Kala Brand Music , KHS America, Korg USA, Marshall Group, Native Instruments, Peavey Electronics, Positive Grid, Paul Reed Smith (PRS Guitars), QSC, Qualcomm, Roland Corporation U.S./Roland Corporation , Rozanna's Violins, Shure Incorporated, SnapDragon, SONOR GmbH, Strandberg Guitars, Venus Guitars, and Yamaha Corporation.
[Note: many of these brands and products are captured in my videos from the show]
These participating Media Day brands, along with the NAMM presenters, organizers, and staff, stood in solidarity with the Los Angeles fire victims, supporting the NAMM Foundation LA Wildfires Relief Fund (Note: link opens to donation site). The NAMM Foundation established this fund with an initial commitment of $50,000 to assist NAMM members, employees of member companies, music education programs, and music makers impacted by the fires.
NAMM Media Day also featured notable figures like Peter Frampton. Frampton, a Rock and Roll Hall of Famer and Grammy Award winner, shared his deep connection with Martin Guitars during an interview with Martin Guitar CEO, Thomas Ripsam, recalling how he was inspired by Stephen Stills and Neil Young playing Martins with Buffalo Springfield. “I wanted that sound,” Frampton said. “So when I left Humble Pie in 1970, I went to Manny’s in New York and put down a deposit on a D-45. I played it on an album of mine called Frampton’s Camel, and if you hear an acoustic on that record, it’s the D-45.” He also reflected on losing that guitar while on tour, which led to Martin later collaborating with him on a signature Frampton’s Camel model.
Frampton also spoke about his long history of performing with Eric Clapton, including the Crossroads Guitar Festival, where the two legends shared the stage. “Eric and I go way back,” Frampton recalled. “Every time we play together, it’s just magic. He’s one of those players where you don’t have to think—you just feel it, and the music happens.” Their performances over the years have cemented Frampton’s place among the greats in rock guitar history.
NAMM 2025 also marked another milestone for Frampton, as he celebrated his Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction and announced a new studio album—the first with original material in 14 years—co-produced with his son, Julian Frampton.
Watch Peter Frampton’s conversation with Martin Guitar CEO, Thomas Ripsam, at The 2025 NAMM Show, where they discuss Frampton’s deep connection with Martin guitars, his signature model, his new gifted guitar, and his legendary career. 📺 🎸 🏆
Another exciting moment later in the week was a one-on-one conversation between Jon Batiste and NAMM President and CEO John Mlynczak. Batiste, who was honored with The Music for Life Award during this standing-room-only session, spoke about the power of music in shaping culture and inspiring future generations. “Music is everywhere in life. It’s in the celebrations, the rituals, even in the everyday moments we don’t think about. It’s not just something we listen to—it’s something we live. And when we recognize that, we see its power to bring people together, to heal, to create change.”
Batiste also reflected on his early days as a musician, sharing how he found his place in the New Orleans music scene and later in New York. “Growing up in New Orleans, music was everywhere. It wasn’t something separate—it was part of life. There was music for when someone was born, music for when people passed away, music for rituals, for celebrations. That shaped me. And then moving to New York, it was like being thrown into a world of musicians from all over, with different influences. That’s where I really started forming a community, finding my own sound.”
Watch Jon Batiste’s insightful 1:1 conversation with NAMM President and CEO John Mlynczak at The 2025 NAMM Show, where he discusses the power of music, creativity, and its cultural impact! 📺 ⚜️ 🎤
At the 40th TEC Awards, the legendary Jack White received the Innovation Award and delivered a live performance that was nothing short of electrifying. White’s approach to gear, particularly his custom pedal designs, reinforced a larger conversation happening at NAMM—the role of pedals in modern music and whether their standalone presence may shift in design and location as effects become integrated into instruments and amplifiers.
The show floor was an overwhelming display of musical gear, from trumpets to violins, harmonicas to keyboards, pedals to amplifiers, drums to guitars, and straps to strings. There was also a paradise of turntable, lighting, and sound gear for DJs and the crew that support the stage for all types of performers.
Alongside the gear, there were plenty of celebrity sightings, including Stevie Wonder, Robert Sarzo (Ozzy Osbourne), Simon Phillips, and Kiki Wong (Smashing Pumpkins). The energy of the event was heightened by both staged and impromptu performances, as attendees eagerly tested the latest gear.
Experience the energy of The 2025 NAMM Show firsthand with this exclusive video featuring some incredible on-location musical performances captured live! 📺 🎶 🔥
The Expanding Ecosystem of Music Gear
One of the key trends this year was expanded integration between instruments, software, and sound libraries. Many manufacturers are moving beyond standalone products and creating ecosystems that work seamlessly together.
At the Fender product release presentation, one speaker quoted scholar William Pollard, “Learning and innovation go hand in hand,” a sentiment that echoed across the event. Companies like Roland, Yamaha, and Martin Guitars showcased new products that combined cutting-edge technology with classic craftsmanship.
For example, Martin Guitars celebrated its 190th anniversary by unveiling its 3 millionth serial-numbered guitar, a testament to its longevity in the industry. Meanwhile, Shure marked 100 years of innovation, and Paul Reed Smith (PRS) introduced the latest model in their highly sought-after Dragon series.
Take a look inside The 2025 NAMM Show with this exclusive photo recap featuring celebrity sightings and the latest cutting-edge gear from the event! 📸 🎸 🥁
Technology Bridging Past & Future
The intersection of innovation and nostalgia was especially clear in new amplifier designs. Marshall introduced a reimagined version of its iconic 1959 amplifier, allowing players to achieve classic loud tones at lower volumes. While modern modeling amps offer countless tonal options, Marshall’s approach preserves its legendary analog sound while using new technology to make it more practical for today’s musicians.
Another standout innovation was Yamaha’s Tag3C guitar, which integrates built-in pedal effects and looping capabilities, eliminating the need for external stompboxes. This was a perfect example of the shifting landscape of gear, where manufacturers are considering how to make musicians’ lives easier by incorporating effects into their instruments.
Roland also made waves with its silent drum technology, showcasing mesh heads and electronic cymbals that feel like acoustic drums while remaining nearly silent. This is a game-changer for drummers who need to practice without disturbing their neighbors or who want a more controlled studio environment.
The Future of Pedals: Will They Get Gobbled Up?
One of the most intriguing observations from the show centered on the sheer number of pedals on display. There were hundreds (and hundreds) of pedals from various manufacturers, each offering a unique take on tone-shaping, all lined up on tables, hanging on walls, and of course, stuck to pedal boards. While the numbers (and the sprawling displays) are impressive, this raised a larger question (beyond the obvious one "do we need this many pedals?") — "what does their future hold; will standalone pedals eventually disappear as effects become integrated into guitars and amplifiers?"
The rise of multi-effects processors, software-controlled pedals, and built-in guitar effects suggests that pedals may not remain as essential as they once were. Yamaha’s Tag3C guitar is a direct example of this shift, featuring built-in effects and looping capabilities, eliminating the need for external stompboxes for many players. This integration allows musicians to access key effects and record loops directly from their instrument, streamlining their setup and workflow. [Note: you can see this guitar in action in my music video above]
At the same time, not all instruments are ready for built-in effects technology. Trumpets, harmonicas, and other acoustic instruments still rely heavily on external pedals for sound modification. While some innovations may emerge to integrate effects directly into these instruments, the demand and technology aren’t quite there yet. In the future, as digital processing becomes more compact and sophisticated, we could see more embedded effects solutions tailored for a broader range of instruments. This said, I did see a remote controlled "Trumpeter" that played sound through the instrument, even if it didn't trigger the valves.
Moving away from the instrument end of the spectrum, not all effects will necessarily be embedded into instruments—in many cases, the effects may live in the amplifier instead. Amplifiers are becoming more advanced and intelligent, with some featuring onboard effects, digital modeling, and software-controlled sound shaping. This shift means that instead of stacking multiple pedals on a board on the floor, musicians might be able to achieve the same range of tones directly through their amp. I can envision a guitarist controlling the amp's effects with the flick of their toe or the headstock of their guitar.
AI & Ethics in Music
A major focus of NAMM 2025 was the role of AI in music creation. I can only imagine—as I didn't have time to ask as many people as I would like—that many/most products have some form of AI helping them help the artists and producers. As noted during the opening Media Day, Roland and Universal Music Group introduced the “Principles for Music Creation with AI”, a set of ethical guidelines designed to ensure that AI enhances—rather than replaces—human creativity. I had a chance to briefly meet Roland's CEO, Masahiro Minowa, and hope to connect with him soon to discuss this topic further.
Key takeaways from their initiative include:
♪ Music is a fundamental part of human expression and should not be devalued by AI-generated content.
♪ Human-created works must be protected, ensuring artists receive credit and compensation for their work.
♪ Transparency is critical, so AI-generated music must be clearly labeled and used responsibly.
On this topic, I am always open to a good debate on the role of AI in music. If you have some thoughts or opinions you'd like to share or discuss, let me know. Some key debate points surrounding the use of AI in music creation are:
Creativity & Authenticity
♪ Does AI-generated music lack emotional depth and human creativity?
♪ Can AI truly “create” music, or is it just mimicking existing patterns?
♪ Should AI be considered a tool for artists, or a potential replacement?
Ownership & Copyright
♪ Who owns AI-generated music—the developer, the AI itself, or the user?
♪ Should AI-generated music be protected under copyright laws?
♪ Can AI ethically be trained on existing artists’ work without their consent?
Ethics & Fair Use
♪ Is it fair for AI to use decades of human-made music as training data?
♪ Should artists be compensated if AI uses their style or likeness?
♪ How do we prevent AI from flooding the market with low-effort, mass-produced music?
Industry Impact
♪ Will AI put musicians, producers, and songwriters out of work?
♪ Does AI democratize music creation, or does it devalue professional musicianship?
♪ How will AI affect the music industry’s business models (streaming, licensing, publishing)?
The Evolution Continues: What’s Next for Music Makers?
The 2025 NAMM Show showcased the industry’s commitment to pushing the limits of what’s possible while honoring tradition, shaping cutting edge music technology to remain both innovative and nostalgic.
As new innovations emerge, technology advances, and creative expression reaches new heights, the way we create, experience, and connect through music will continue to evolve—reshaping not just the industry, but culture and society itself.
I’m excited to continue these conversations on the Music Evolves Podcast, exploring how these developments will influence the future of music.
If there’s an innovation, creative approach, or groundbreaking shift in how music is made, produced, shared, or performed that you think I should explore, let me know!
Until next time ...
Keep creating, keep listening, and let the music move you.™️
I hope you enjoy and share this story with others. Feel free to provide your thoughts on this article as well. If you have a topic or event you want me to explore, drop me a direct message and we can discuss the opportunity.
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Thank you for watching, listening, reading, and joining me!
Sean Martin is a life-long musician and the host of the Music Evolves Podcast and the Redefining CyberSecurity Podcast, both part of the ITSPmagazine Podcast Network—which he co-founded with his good friend Marco Ciappelli.
To learn more about Sean, visit his personal website.