Merlin and IMPALA Launch Weidenmuller Sustainability Fund to Support Independent Music Sector's Transition 22 Apr 2025
IMPALA is a leading advocate on sustainability in the music sector, building a strong track record that includes the first-ever Climate Charter for the industry as well as the Business Case for Taking Sustainability Action. This new joint initiative reinforces Merlin’s commitment to equipping independent rightsholders with forward-looking strategies that address emerging industry challenges. By supporting tools like IMPALA’s Carbon Calculator (the world's first bespoke calculator designed for independent record labels) and investing in scalable infrastructure, the fund reinforces how sustainability is a source of resilience, innovation, and long-term value creation.
Together, Merlin and IMPALA are reaffirming their shared commitment to environmental responsibility, equity, and innovation —values that Horst championed throughout his life.
NEWS & PRESS
Merlin and IMPALA Launch Weidenmuller Sustainability Fund to Support Independent Music Sector's Transition
This Earth Day, Merlin is proud to support the launch of the Weidenmüller Sustainability Fund. The fund is a new, multi-year joint initiative between Merlin and IMPALA, designed to accelerate the independent music community’s transition toward a more sustainable future. The...more
Youth Music and Outernet Venues join forces to raise funds for Rescue the Roots campaign
Youth Music, the UK’s leading charity helping marginalised young people make and monetise music, has today announced its partnership with Outernet Venues. The iconic London events spaces will be supporting the charity’s £1 million ‘Rescue the Roots’ campaign - an urgent...more
Reservoir launches new Mumbai-based subsidiary Popindia
This launch marks Reservoir’s seventh global officePopIndia announces first signing singer, songwriter, and rapper Yohani Reservoir Media, Inc. (NASDAQ: RSVR), an award-winning independent music company, today announced the launch of a new subsidiary, PopIndia, based in Mumbai, India. As a full-service...more
Co-op Live Crowned 'New Concert Venue of the Year' at prestigious Pollstar Awards 2025
Co-op Live, the UK’s premiere purpose-built music-first arena, is proud to announce it has been named ‘New Concert Venue of the Year (International)’ at the prestigious 36th annual Pollstar Awards 2025, the leading celebration across the global live entertainment industry. The global accolade recognises...more
Sevan Mater introduces groundbreaking 3D album covers
Innovative single-piece lenticular design brings album artwork to life First album to feature new technology is Iced Earth reissue Affordable innovation aimed at both major and independent labels and artists The record label Sevan Mater has launched an innovative product for the music...more
Jay Ahmed promoted to Head of Promotions at Your Army
Your Army is proud to announce the promotion of Jay Ahmed to Head of Promotions. He will now be heading up the DJ, UK Radio, International Radio, and Third Party Playlist departments. This role recognises his significant contributions to the company...more
Broadwick presents 2,800-capacity space - Exhibition White City
REFURBISHED, REIMAGINED AND REVIVED SPACE WITH SHOWS FROM DAVIDO, CHIP, RNB & SLOW JAMS, MARGINS UNITED, DJ TRIXIE MATTEL ++ EXHIBITION WHITE CITY @EXHIBITIONWHITECITY VENUE PICS BROADWICK is proud to re-introduce EXHIBITION WHITE CITY; a refurbished, reimagined and revived 2,800-capacity hybrid venue in the...more
Trash release new vinyl single 'Matter of Time' for Record Store Day 2025
47 YEARS AFTER FIRST AND ONLY RELEASE IN 1978, THE BAND HAVE APPLIED TO THE GUINNESS BOOK OF RECORDS ON THE BASIS THAT THIS IS THE LONGEST GAP EVER BETWEEN SINGLE RELEASES 47 years after their last single, cult* rockers Trash are back! To...more
Brazilian authorities launch largest ever disruption operation against major streaming fraud platform, JustAnotherPanel
Brazilian law enforcement, through the cybercrime unit of prosecutor’s office of Sao Paulo, Cyber Gaeco, has launched a large-scale disruption operation, targeting JustAnotherPanel, a global service offering fake streams used in streaming fraud. JustAnotherPanel provides technical infrastructure to a large...more
Sony Music Entertainment Promotes Kevin Foo to Managing Director for Southeast Asia (Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand)
Sony Music Entertainment (SME) today announced the appointment of Kevin Foo as Managing Director for Southeast Asia (Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand), effective immediately. In this role, Foo will oversee some of Southeast Asia’s fastest growing music markets, leading SME’s efforts to drive growth, champion...more
Ultra International Music Publishing unveil name change to Payday Music Publishing
New Round of International Writing Camps Announced Ultra International Music Publishing, the leading independent publishers of Hip-Hop, Pop, Electronic Dance Music, Jazz and Reggae has announced that it will be changing its name to Payday Music Publishing (‘Payday Publishing’). This move follows a recent court judgement in a...more
The Great Escape announces full 2025 festival schedule
PLUS... 2025 STAGE HOSTS REVEALEDTHE GREAT ESCAPE MOBILE APP NOW AVAILABLE TO DOWNLOADTHE GREAT ESCAPE 202514-17 MAY 2025, BRIGHTONTICKETS ON SALE NOWhttps://greatescapefestival.com/ Today The Great Escape, taking place from 14-17 May 2025 in Brighton, unveils its full festival schedule for this year’s edition, which can be accessed...more
Introducing FFWDx: A New Era for FastForward
FFWDxLEEDS to debut on 10th June After a decade of successful global events, music industry economist Chris Carey is launching FFWDx - an evolution of the FastForward (FFWD) music conference. The debut edition, FFWDxLEEDS, will take place on 10th June 2025...more
PRS Foundation announces new PPL Momentum Accelerator support for talented artists and music industry professionals in Tees Valley
PPL Momentum Accelerator grants of up to £5,000 available for artists based in the Tees Valley for career support and development PPL Momentum Accelerator grants of up to £1,000 available for Tees Valley-based music industry professionals and future professionals PPL Momentum Accelerator...more
Richard Russell Awarded the Music Producers Guild Inspiration Award
The Music Producers Guild, in association with Dolby and Mix With The Masters, is proud to announce Richard Russell, acclaimed music producer and founder of the groundbreaking label XL Recordings as the winner of its prestigious MPG Inspiration Award sponsored by Audio Note. Richard is behind the collaborative music project...more
pointblank Music School Unveils New State-of-the-Art London Campus
pointblank Music School is thrilled to announce the grand opening of its brand-new 30,000 sq ft campus in Shoreditch, London. Designed to set a new standard in music education, the cutting-edge facility offers 13 world-class studios, a dynamic student hub,...more
Warner Music Group appoints Armin Zerza as EVP & CFO effective 5 May
Accomplished Leader from Activision Blizzard and Procter & Gamble Warner Music Group Corp. (Nasdaq: WMG) today announced that Armin Zerza is joining the company as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective May 5, reporting to CEO Robert Kyncl. Zerza brings...more
Fender Celebrate Player II Modified Launch With Free Tune-Ups and One-Night-Only Gig at London Motorcycle Club
The Fender Mod Shop will offer fans free guitar tune-ups by Fender’s expert guitar techs before an intimate headline performance from Mercury Prize winners English Teacher Fans can apply for a chance to get their guitars tuned-up and attend the gig on the 24th April via...more
AlphaTheta announces return to International Music Summit Ibiza for 2025 as founding partner
It’s almost time! As clubbers look forward to the start of the party season on the White Isle, the International Music Summit Ibiza – one of the biggest, most exciting events on the music industry’s calendar – is preparing for...more
Viagogo's anti-consumer practices show why only a price cap can stop law-breaking ticket touts
FanFair Alliance, the music campaign against industrial-scale online ticket touting, has highlighted how controversial offshore ticketing website viagogo has continued to engage in misleading and potentially unlawful practices - even while the Government consults on introducing a price cap to...more
NTIA Issues Open Letter to London Borough Leaders Urging Immediate Support for Alfresco Dining and Nightlife Revival
The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has today issued an urgent open letter to the Chief Executives and Leaders of all London boroughs, calling for swift and decisive action to support the capital’s hospitality and night-time economy. This call comes in...more
DJ Awards 2025 announces new nominees & panel initiative
The DJ Awards proudly announces the formation of the Grand Jury, a groundbreaking initiative designed to bring greater transparency, and industry expertise to the awards process. This distinguished panel will play a pivotal role in shaping the categories, nominating artists...more
The Cure, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Jessie Ware and more team up with visual artists Yinka Ilori MBE, Sir Paul Smith, Anthony Gormley OBE for War Child Secret 7" charity exhibition now open at NOW Gallery until 1 June
Art exhibition featuring 700 unique artist-designed sleeves goes on display at NOW Gallery, Greenwich Peninsula, 11 April - 1 June 2025 Online auction until 1 June 2025 Iconic talents create new records for War Child, the specialist charity for children caught in conflict...more
Tom Allen moves to CTO, Downtown Music, Richard Leach appointed to President of Curve
â— Allen’s move to CTO comes after he has held the position of interim CTO since the passing of Manan Vohra in April 2024 â— Leach will lead Downtown’s efforts to expand its royalty and financial services across publishing and...more
Caldecott Music Group Partners with ISNI to Empower Global Creators and Strengthen Attribution across Music and Media
The collaboration advances interoperability and transparency in creative supply chains through the global adoption of ISNI identifiers Caldecott Music Group (caldecottmusic.com), a leading Singapore-headquartered global music company, today announced a strategic partnership with the ISNI International Agency (ISNI-IA [isni.org]), becoming an...more
Collabhouse Launches DIY Sync Licensing Tool for Independent Artists, Labels, and Publishers
Collabhouse, the music promotion and sync platform empowering artists and creators across social and digital media, has unveiled a new tool for the modern music industry: an easy-to-use, self-service, embeddable sync licensing feature designed specifically for independent artists, labels, and music...more
BBC Music Television announces When Bruce Springsteen Came To Britain
BBC Two and iPlayer will celebrate Bruce Springsteen with a night of programming in May to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Bruce Springsteen's first UK concert. The centrepiece is When Bruce Springsteen Came To Britain, a fascinating new documentary from Wise Owl Films, part of...more
UK Music Chief Executive to Highlight Accessibility and Diversity in Music at Boston ABLE Assembly Conference
UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl will discuss the importance of breaking down barriers to entry to the music industry at the 2025 ABLE Assembly Conference, which takes place at the Berklee College of Music in Boston from April 11-13. At...more
Audiovisual authors speak out and urge WIPO Copyright Committee to address their rights
Filmmakers and copyright experts have gathered at the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) in Geneva to discuss the lack of fair remuneration for audiovisual creators, and the urgent need for a study on the global situation of remuneration for audiovisual...more
Co-op Live Celebrates Highest Ticket Sales Across all of Europe
Last week Co-op Live, the UK’s purpose-built music-first arena, celebrated the highest ticket sales across all European venues, securing both their biggest week for ticket sales and highest ticket sales in a single day to date. With over 150 shows announced...more
THE HEADLINES
Did the Spotify 1,000 stream rule cost artists $47m?
Meet the editors crafting some of Spotify’s top playlists (see Features)
Two Guardian music writers spent a week assessing the limits of living with and without Spotify (see Features)
Ruth Barlow of AIM and Beggars Group on UMG, Downtown and why she believes ‘regulators must act’ (see Comment)
Jack Dorsey says it’s time to ‘delete all IP law’ — and Elon Musk agrees — amid continued AI training debate (see News)
Viagogo's anti-consumer practices show why only a price cap can stop law-breaking ticket touts (see News)
Q1 album chart suggests 2024's issues presenting new British music continue (see Comment)
Spotify responds to Kate Nash criticism with £500k payout claim (see News)
Fandom reciprocity: Why sustaining a community requires give and take (see Comment)
Everyone wants to monetise fandom – but we must fix fan data first (see Comment)
Music truly matters – so how can we plan better for its future? (see Comment)
TikTok sale fails to complete; lawsuits could hinder process (see Digital)
Government could delay new AI copyright laws by up to four years (see News)
If the internet dies, where does all the attention go? (see Comment)