The beginning of the 21st century is characterized by rapid technological advances, the promotion of diversity, globalisation and internationalization and the dynamic connections between people from different parts of the world and across different cultures. These characteristics have also influenced the relationships that composers, performers, researchers, artistic institutions and the public establish with the artistic production of the time, including music, and with each other. Based on these premises, this paper aims to answer the question: how does music and its associated activities relate to the characteristics of 21st century? In that way, the study explores the work developed by five music groups active in Portugal at the beginning of the 21st century: Drumming GP, Síntese—GMC, Performa Ensemble, Sond'Ar-te Electric Ensemble and Ensemble DME. From a methodological point of view, this study uses a mixed approach. It uses qualitative data analysis, which includes a literature review and interview analysis using the MAXQDA programme, as well as quantitative data that is analyzed through SPSS software. Thus, this paper delineates the emergence of these ensembles, and shows how the characteristics of society at the beginning of the 21st century relate to the activities the groups developed.