To clarify, bands as in musical collectives who record & play live together; e.g Wild Beasts (obviously this description is up for scrutiny).

Many artists of this ilk are still going, with a few breakthrough artist, but the majority of breakthrough artists seem to be solo-based (often using collaberations to beef up their work). Is this a burgeoning trend.

What's more, is their still something unique about having a band building up a discography? I fear that, if bands were marginalised, the practices of building up a sound over a career/of tightening a live sound etc. would be lost. Thoughts?