Chord Music Partners Announces Strategic Investment from Searchlight Capital Partners 15 Aug 2025
Chord Music Partners, a leading management and acquisition platform for music intellectual property, today announced it has received a strategic investment from funds advised by Searchlight Capital Partners, L.P., a leading global private investment firm.
NEWS & PRESS
Music Climate Pact invites tenders for its climate training programme
Proposals to be submitted by Monday 15th September 2025 – brief available on application The Music Climate Pact (MCP) – the global recorded music industry's platform that advocates for positive action to sustainably reduce its impact on the environment – today invites tenders to develop...more
BBC Radio 6 Music announces new programmes presented by Kate Moss and Beth Ditto, and a new series dedicated to celebrating neurodivergent identity and creativity
BBC Radio 6 Music, the UK's biggest digital-only radio station with 2.6 million listeners each week (RAJAR, Q2 2025), reveals new programmes for autumn 2025: Kate Moss hosts Music Uncovered, David Bowie: Changeling, a world exclusive, eight-part podcast exploring David Bowie's artistic evolution...more
Chord Music Partners Announces Strategic Investment from Searchlight Capital Partners
Investment will support Chord’s continued growth as a leading platform for music investment Chord Music Partners, a leading management and acquisition platform for music intellectual property, today announced it has received a strategic investment from funds advised by Searchlight Capital Partners,...more
WIN Annual Report Celebrates a Strong and United Independent Music Community
More than 500 professionals from 46 countries connected through flagship initiatives WINCON and WINHUB and new project BRIDGE. Promoting a competitive marketplace, fair AI development, and a level playing field in streaming as key priorities. Worldwide Independent Network (WIN), the international network...more
Headline Growth of 0.3% GDP Masks the Pressures Many Businesses Face says NTIA
Comment from Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association:“The UK’s 0.3% GDP growth in Q2 2025 is better than expected, but marks a slowdown from the 0.7% recorded in Q1. While services and construction delivered gains, the production...more
Third Bandcamp Friday of the Year Generates Over $3.5 Million for Independent Artists in Just 24 Hours
Since Inception, Bandcamp Fridays Have Generated Over $140 Million For Independent Artists Overall Using Bandcamp, Fans Have Paid Artists a Staggering $1.5+ Billion Bandcamp, the world's largest online music marketplace and community, has today announced that its latest Bandcamp Friday, which took place on...more
Concord Music Publishing Signs Grammy and Ivor Novello winning Producer and Songwriter Fraser T Smith to Global Publishing Deal
Concord Music Publishing is proud to announce the signing of acclaimed producer, songwriter, and musician Fraser T Smith to a new worldwide publishing agreement. The deal encompasses Smith’s future works as well as select existing compositions from his catalogue. Fraser T...more
Trailblazer Austen Adams appointed President of Warner Chappell Music Nashville
Brings wide-ranging expertise from roles as COO of Big Loud, entertainment lawyer, and artist manager Dynamic leader to play key role bringing Nashville songwriters to global prominence Warner Chappell Music (WCM) today announced widely respected leader Austen Adams has been appointed President of...more
Warner Chappell Music signs global deal with Phil Plested
The acclaimed singer-songwriter Phil Plested has signed a global deal with Warner Chappell Music, the music publishing arm of Warner Music Group, covering his future works. Aside from his solo work, Plested has written for artists such as Anne-Marie, Bastille,...more
RuthAnne to Host TikTok LIVE Songwriting Session with KiD RAiN for #SummerSkills Music Week
Have you ever wondered how the world's biggest hits are born? What sparks the first lyric, the first chord, the moment a chart-topper takes shape? This August, TikTok LIVE is giving fans a rare front-row seat to the magic of hitmaking, inviting...more
RCA A&R Veteran Rob Inadomi Joins Global Music Venture Nebula17 as Founding Partner to Lead U.S. Label Launch and Global A&R for Japanese Talent
Nebula17, the next-generation music and creative venture founded by former Avex USA CEO Naoki Osada, today announced that Rob Inadomi has joined the company as Founding Partner, President of Label and A&R. In this role, Rob will lead the development...more
KiTbetter Enables Self-Releasing Artists to Create Collectible KiTalbums
KiTbetter is announcing its latest service for DIY independent artists: an upgraded, easy-to-use do-it-yourself platform to create and release KiTalbums. This distinctive music format has already been adopted by major artists ranging from Public Enemy to BLACKPINK, combining the tangible...more
The Featured Artists Coalition launch new partnership with Amex Unsigned at All Points East’s In The Neighbourhood Festival
As part of this year’s Amex Unsigned line-up, on Wednesday 20th August, the FAC will host an exclusive discussion “Showcasing the importance of grassroots music in and around the community” featuring FAC artists, Amex Unsigned artists & special guests The Featured...more
BSI Merch appoints Rob Anderson as Head of Marketing
Global e-commerce, tech, touring and artist services company BSI Merch has announced the appointment of Rob Anderson as Head of Marketing. With over 30 years of experience and offices in London, Berlin, and Tokyo as well as strong partnerships in North...more
AIF, AIP and MVT partner for new Grassroots Networking Day
Bookers, programmers, promoters and agents join UK-wide drive to strengthen the shows on offer at grassroots level. Event backed by Arts Council England. A partnership between the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF), the Association of Independent Promoters (AIP) and Music Venue Trust...more
Why your drink tastes better at a gig!
EXPERTS REVEAL HOW MUSIC ENHANCES YOUR EXPERIENCE OF ALCOHOL The science behind the buzz and why music influences taste, mood, and memory! This summer, festivalgoers can put it to the test Research in music psychology shows sound influences taste, mood, and sensory...more
Startup 'global digital street team' Your Culture appoints Isabella Mimi as creative strategy lead, celebrates 700th campaign milestone
Your Culture has thousands of community creators across four continents. Isabella joins the UK-based team, including co-founders Scott Halliday-Dillon, Joe Streeter, and Josh Brandon. The startup has worked 700+ campaigns for clients, including Charli XCX, Fred again.., The Last Dinner Party, and...more
Summer Family Support: Backing Parents Working in the Music Industry
The PRS Members’ Fund is offering a package of support to families during the school summer holidays. The PRS Members’ Fund can provide support to families under financial pressure. Working parents in the music industry face unique challenges during the summer holidays,...more
Woodbridge Festival Celebrates Suffolk's Role in British Soul
Woodbridge Festival of Art and Music 2025 is to celebrate the role played by Suffolk's US Airforce basses in introducing black American music to the UK. This year's festival will be headlined by legendary 1960s soul singer, Geno Washington, and...more
Abbey Road announces Anton Corbijn as the 'ICON' Award winner for the Music Photography Awards 2025
THE AWARDS CEREMONY WILL TAKE PLACE AT ABBEY ROAD ON 2 OCTOBER Abbey Road has today announced that legendary Dutch photographer, filmmaker, and music video director Anton Corbijn has been honoured with the prestigious ICON Award at this year’s Abbey Road...more
PRS for Music launches monthly royalty payouts for online streaming
Members will now be paid faster and more frequently when their music is streamed online. PRS for Music has introduced monthly royalty payments for multi-territory online licensing (MTOL), meaning members will now be paid monthly, instead of quarterly, when their music...more
Lo Ting-Fai appointed as President, Warner Music APAC
Seasoned entertainment executive Lo Ting-Fai, known as Lofai, has been appointed as President, Warner Music APAC, at Warner Music Group (NASDAQ: WMG). Effective August 11, he will be based in Hong Kong, reporting to Robert Kyncl, CEO of WMG. All of the...more
Major new UK & ROI folk album award launches, submissions open
A new annual award, The Folk Album Of The Year Award, has been launched to celebrate the genre’s most artistically acclaimed albums released in the UK and Republic of Ireland.The Award will spotlight eight shortlisted albums released in 2025, with...more
National Music Prize network launched by Scottish, Welsh and NI music awards
The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, the Welsh Music Prize and the Northern Ireland (NI) Music Prize have come together to form the National Music Prize Network (NMPN), a new collaborative initiative that will champion musical talent, promote...more
PRS Foundation's UK and Republic of Ireland co-commissioning and touring initiative, Beyond Borders, opens for applications
Deadline to submit applications is 15th September 2025 at 6pm 2025 marks 15th year of Beyond Borders initiative Grant support of up to £20,000 is available for projects PRS Foundation, the UK's leading charitable funder of new music and talent development announces today...more
ElevenLabs Launches Eleven Music in Collaboration with Music Industry Partners
ElevenLabs, the leading AI audio research and product company, today announced the launch of Eleven Music, expanding on its mission to build the most comprehensive AI audio platform in the world. Eleven Music enables businesses, creators, artists, and everyday users...more
Nile Rodgers joins Simon Cowell-Backed Lounges.tv
Nile Rodgers, the iconic songwriter, composer, producer, arranger, and guitarist, has teamed up with innovative streaming platform Lounges.tv in a ground-breaking partnership designed to spotlight and support emerging music artists. Through this collaboration, Lounges.tv and Nile Rodgers will provide rising talent...more
FreshTunes Partners with Groover and Songstats to Expand Its Artist Community’s Promo Toolkit
FreshTunes, the artist services company quietly supporting the careers of more than half a million music makers around the world, is now working together with Groover and Songstats. This collaboration will allow FreshTunes to add more promotional insights and opportunities...more
Symphonic Distribution Hires Ed Poston as Head of A&R
Symphonic Distribution, a leading music technology and services company for independent labels, managers, and artists, has hired Ed Poston as Head of A&R. Reporting to Symphonic’s Chief Creative Officer, Randall Foster, Poston joins the team with over 15 years of...more
Fontaines D.C., Wet Leg, Bon Iver, Ezra Collective and Aluna make Independent Music Awards shortlists
The Independent Music Awards has revealed its first nominees, marking the event’s 15 year anniversary of celebrating the achievements of the UK’s independent music community. This year’s milestone edition sees double nominations for South London jazz innovators Ezra Collective (Partisan) widely...more
THE HEADLINES
Why aren’t all songwriters being paid for their songs in live concerts? (see Comment)
StubHub allowed prolific tout to list 300 tickets for sold-out Lewis Capaldi show (see News)
Predatory music deals and the perpetuity problem (see Comment)
U2’s Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton and Larry Muller Jr. release statements on Israel and Gaza (see News)
Some artists are leaving Spotify (again). Here’s what’s different now (see Comment)
Have record labels turned into private equity firms? (see Comment)
How the Swedes altered the songwriting process (see Features)
Fandom as a multi-layered experience (see Analysis)
How entertainment and creators can thrive together (see Comment)
How the charts found God (see Features)
ElevenLabs launches AI music platform Eleven Music (see Digital)
What is the value of a stream in 2025? (see Comment)
Spotify to raise subscription prices in Europe, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East (see Digital)
Napster's 25th anniversary reunion spotlights how its rule-breaking launch in 1999 reshaped both the music and tech landscapes. (see Features)