To a large extent the listening public wants what the listening public is used to getting. If radio stations exposed the public to a wider range of options it might be different but it's not going to happen.

It seems to me that people have been conditioned by a combination of circumstances; the media, their difficult working lives, the complexity of modern life, local traditions etc. to use music primarily as a stress reliever and they will want what's familiar, reassuring and undemanding in hard times. So you get this tendency of radio programmers to present a consistent mood in their playlists be it 'nostalgic', 'chill out' or 'feel good' to fit in with that.

From the musicians side of things if you're locked into a successful formula that's garnered a large audience you're not going to do much to change your approach unless you want to risk losing your fan base even if you might gain another.

From the record industry perspective its about commodification; homogenizing things to the point where any new talent has to fit the preconceived mould.

Only the audience can change it really by voting with their feet and their wallets. Admitting that you're bored by the repetition is a start. But then if you don't get to hear anything outside the norm you might just put up with what you have.

Regards

Alan