Symphonic Distribution Partners with SymphonyOS to Provide Enhanced Marketing Tools and Fan Data to Artists 01 Apr 2025
NEWS & PRESS
Beatport Expands Genre Offerings with New Ambient/Experimental and Downtempo Categories
Beatport, the global leader in music for DJs, producers, and their fans, continues to refine its genre classification by introducing Ambient/Experimental as a new standalone genre and reclassifying Downtempo as its own category, separate from Organic House. These additions reflect...more
Independent music publishing sector's value up 5.7% YoY in IMPF's Global Market View
Independent music publishing market share as a whole remains ahead of the largest major company Read the 5th edition of IMPF's Global Market View here. IMPF has launched the fifth edition of its Global Market View for Independent Music Publishing at the organisation's...more
Brighton Music Conference expands 2025 edition with new venues and the return of A&R sessions
Brighton Music Conference (BMC), the UK’s leading electronic music and networking event is excited to reveal new venues for the conference programme, the return of the ‘A&R Sessions’ and the official BMC Welcome Party.Taking place from 21st to 23rd May 2025 at some...more
The Great Escape adds 175+ names to its phenomenal 2025 line-up
INCLUDING:BADGER | BLUE LAB BEATS | BRUISE CONTROL | CAROL ADES | CLT DRP | COURTING | DIVIDE AND DISSOLVE | GIRL PUPPY | GODDESS | KNATS | MANDRAKE HANDSHAKE | MARUJA | MECHATOK (LIVE) | NIA SMITH | RIP MAGIC | SIM0NE | SLAG |...more
James Harrison promoted to Vice President of Programming (UK/EU), Legends/ASM Global
JAMES HAS BEEN INSTRUMENTAL IN THE BUSINESS RESTRUCTURE OF THE PROGRAMMING TEAM, EMPOWERING IT TO SUPERSERVE VENUES FROM CONCERT HALLS AND THEATRES TO ARENAS AND STADIA Legends and ASM Global are delighted to announce that James Harrison has been promoted to...more
Sonopress further increases production capacity for sustainably produced long-playing records
Demand for EcoRecords continues to rise Sonopress, a leading manufacturer of storage media, commissioned its third machine for the production of EcoRecords at its Gütersloh site at the end of March. The EcoRecord is a revolutionary new form of Long-Playing (LP)...more
DDEX Publishes Musical Work Right Share Notification Standard (MWN) Version 1.3
DDEX, the international standards-setting organization dedicated to improving the exchange of data and information across the music industry, has announced the publishing of their Musical Work Right Share Notification Standard (MWN) Version 1.3. The Musical Work Right Share Notification Standard (MWN)...more
Concord Music Publishing signs producer Dom Martinez
Today, Concord Music Publishing announced the signing of versatile music producer Dom Martinez. The worldwide publishing deal, effective immediately, includes his full catalog and future works. Originally from Denver and currently based in Nashville, Dom Martinez is a music producer renowned for his ability...more
Universal's Downtown Music acquisition faces EU scrutiny - IMPALA welcomes referral by national competition authority
Universal Music Group’s (UMG) acquisition of Downtown Music faces EU scrutiny following a referral request from an EU member state, as first reported last week. This deal was part of a wave of acquisitions by UMG including independent labels PIAS and 8Ball Music,...more
Aiode Joins the Abbey Road REDD Family
Aiode is thrilled to announce that it is now part of the Abbey Road REDD family, having joined its prestigious Incubator program. REDD launched Europe's first music technology incubation program in 2016 to support pioneering founders in developing value-adding technologies for...more
Mumford & Sons Dazzle Fans with Exclusive Performance at Amazon Music UK City Sessions in Manchester
The Intimate Show Took Place at Aviva Studios, the Landmark New Home of Factory International in Manchester Last night, British folk-rock group Mumford & Sons dazzled fans with an exclusive performance at the Amazon Music UK City Sessions in Manchester. The...more
Government turns back on Sector - Industry Faces Crisis as April Tax Hikes Bite Warns NTIA
Businesses across the country are bracing for a financial blow as the Government moves ahead with tax hikes - despite repeated warnings of their devastating impact. With an increase in Employer National Insurance Contributions (NIC) and a sharp reduction in...more
Bauer Media completes acquisition of Clear Channel Europe-North
Today, Bauer Media Group announces the completion of its acquisition of Clear Channel Europe-North (“Clear Channel Europe”), a significant player in the Out of Home (“OOH”) media sector. This follows the receipt of all approvals required and satisfaction of all...more
Amuse's Licensing Deals Help Indie Bands Like The Walters Stay Indie
Artists today are choosing independence, even in the face of label offers. As a recent Spotify report revealed, independent artists accounted for more than half of streaming revenue in 2024. Among these artists, there is a growing contingent who prefer creative control...more
The UK's Official biggest songs and albums of 2025 so far revealed
Lola Young’s Messy is the biggest song of 2025 so far Sabrina Carpenter’s Short N’ Sweet dominates as it claims biggest album of the year so far Sam Fender claims biggest British album of 2025 to date           SINGLESMessy by Lola Young is officially the UK’s...more
The Hives sign to Play It Again Sam
New Album Scheduled for August Legendary Swedish band The Hives have announced their signing to Play It Again Sam, the flagship label of [PIAS], for the release of their forthcoming album ‘The Hives Forever Forever The Hives,’ which is scheduled to...more
USHER: Past Present Future
USHER unveils his exclusive tour merch pop-up at Selfridges London available 31st March – 11th April To celebrate USHER's London residency for his Past Present Future Tour at The O2 in London, the global entertainment icon has launched a special merchandise collection available exclusively...more
Charli XCX appoints PPL for international royalties collection
PPL reveals 'I Love It’ as Charli’s most played song across UK radio and TV this century Fresh from winning five BRIT awards and three Grammys, avant-pop and electronic superstar Charli xcx has appointed PPL for the collection of her international...more
Music Glue Strengthens North American Presence With Opening of Vancouver Office
Music industry e-commerce specialist Music Glue has announced the launch of a new office in Vancouver, Canada furthering bolstering its presence in North America. The new operation, which will be become the company’s newest international division alongside its existing offices in...more
BRITs Week 25, delivered by DHL for War Child announces money raised through 2025 shows
£650k raised for War Child from 11 intimate shows in London, Glasgow & Bexhill Taking the combined total to over £8 million since BRITs Week’s inception in 2009 BRITs Week 25, delivered by DHL for War Child, proudly announces details of the money raised from this...more
Co-op Live Announces Sustainability-Driven Partnership with OVO
Co-op Live, the UK’s largest indoor arena and one of the world’s most sustainable live entertainment venues, is proud to announce a new partnership with OVO, a leading energy provider. This collaboration strengthens Co-op Live’s commitment to sustainability while enhancing...more
Future Sounds 2025: Young West London Artists Shine on Stage for All-Star Music Industry Panel
Rising local stars perform for Coldplay’s Will Champion, Sharleen Spiteri, Big Zuu and Hollie Cook at the 10th anniversary of the Future Sounds competition. The Tri-borough Music Hub and The Rhythm Studio marked the 10th anniversary of Future Sounds last week with a spectacular live showcase...more
Symphonic Distribution Partners with SymphonyOS to Provide Enhanced Marketing Tools and Fan Data to Artists
Symphonic Distribution, a leading music technology and services company for independent labels, managers, and artists, has furthered its mission of empowering independent artists with best-in-class tools by partnering with digital marketing platform SymphonyOS. Symphonic users will have discounted access to SymphonyOS...more
Sony Music Publishing Signs Global Deal with Jesse Fink
Sony Music Publishing today announced the signing of GRAMMY Award-winning songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Jesse Fink to a worldwide publishing deal.Los Angeles-based hitmaker Jesse Fink has penned chart-topping songs including Myles Smith’s global hit “Stargazing,” which has spent 44 weeks and...more
Ministry of Sound & Lab54 team up on April Fools Stunt paying homage to UK Rave Culture
Club Culture x Pop Up Culture: The legendary nightclub and anti-club party specialists unite, championing the evolution of club culture. On March 19th, London's legendary Ministry of Sound joined forces with pop-up specialists Lab54 to host a first-of-its-kind secret party—in the women's toilets. Now, revealing the secret collaboration,...more
Music Producers Guild honours Peter Gabriel and Paul Epworth with prestigious gifted awards
The Music Producers Guild, in association with Dolby and Mix With The Masters, is delighted to announce two exceptional British music talents as winners of their highest accolades, the MPG Pioneer and MPG Icon awards. Peter Gabriel: A Pioneer of Musical Innovation Peter Gabriel will receive the inaugural MPG Pioneer...more
IMPALA unveils Digital Forward: a new initiative to empower independent music companies in the digital age
IMPALA is taking its digital strategy to the next level with Digital Forward, a new initiative designed to equip independent music companies with the insights they need to navigate the ever-evolving digital landscape. Developed in cooperation with Complete Music Update (CMU) as part of...more
BBC Radio 2 listeners to vote for their Ultimate 21st Century Eurovision Song
The UK's favourite 21st Century Eurovision song will be announced in a Top 40 countdown chart on BBC Sounds and Radio 2, presented by Michelle Visage. With just over a month to go until the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song...more
BMG reports strong organic growth and EBITDA at all-time high in 2024
Strong financial performance driven by BMG Next strategy and significant catalog investments across recorded music and music publishing In the financial year 2024, BMG’s organic revenue grew 8.1 percent (6.4 percent reported) to €963 million, fueled by the successful execution of itsBMG Next strategy, strong organic growth, and...more
Wide Awake - lineup additions
Wide Awake - a festival from Bad Vibrations, LNZRT and MOTH Club WIDE AWAKE ANNOUNCE FAT DOG AND MORE FOR 2025 LINEUP BDRMM, deBasement, Curtisy, RIP Magic and 3L3D3P have also been added to the bill 23rd May 2025 Tickets now on sale - here Wideawakelondon.co.uk With...more
THE HEADLINES
Impala encourages competition authorities and the EU to scrutinise UMG-Downtown deal (see News)
Report presents "progressive solution" to prioritise AI advancement over established creator rights (see Reports)
The AI tipping point is happening (see Comment)
Music is losing a generation of young men (see Comment)
Pophouse Entertainment raises over €1bn for its first fund (see Business)
Interview: AWAL's CEO Lonny Olinick (see Features)
Impala dismisses draft of EU AI Act GPAI Code of Practice (see News)
Music subscriber market shares Q4 2024 report (see Reports)
Industry reactions to the Chancellor’s Spring Statement (see News)
Anthropic scores preliminary victory in AI-copyright clash against music companies (see News)
SoundCloud releases first Music Intelligence Report (see Reports)
Changing industry dynamics, bifurcation and the superfan ecosystem (see Opinion)
AI: Minister Peter Kyle promises government will ‘prioritise . . . forward movement’ (see News)
CMA throws its weight behind government plans to cap ticket resale prices (see News)
Ed Sheeran calls for UK to put £250m into music education (see News)
What's the perfect song length? (see Analysis)
AI is supercharging majors' data analysis. Indies need to assemble or get left behind (see Opinion)