ESNS Announces Keynote Speakers for 2024 Music Conference 30 Nov 2023
Amy Thomson is the former Chief Catalog Officer at Hipgnosis Songs Fund and CEO and founder of ATM Artists, where she executed record releases, marketing campaigns, touring, legal rights and copyright for clients including Kanye West, DJ Snake, Swedish House Mafia, Gorillaz, and Seal. Her passion for catalogue management led her to develop an online application that helps artists manage their metadata. Amy Thomson will address the music industry’s challenges regarding finding, tracking, and tracing metadata across different platforms.
As the European music industry is gearing up for ESNS, the conference programme is rapidly taking shape with newly announced conference program highlights, reflecting on the current state of the music industry and looking ahead.
NEWS & PRESS
UMG / Downtown acquisition - former CMA Chief Economist calls on EC to conduct in-depth investigation
Executive Vice-President Teresa RiberaEuropean CommissionRue de la Loi / Wetstraat 2001049 BrusselsBelgium 12 June 2025 Dear Executive Vice-President Ribera, I am writing to urge DG Competition to conduct an in-depth investigation into the proposed acquisition of Downtown Music Holdings LLC (Downtown) by Universal...more
David Lewis, Founder of Young Voices, Awarded OBE in King's Birthday Honours
Young Voices is proud to announce that its founder, David Lewis, has been awarded an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours List for his notable contributions and services to music in Britain. David’s journey began in...more
UD's Pamela McCormick awarded MBE for services to music education
Belfast-born founder of UD honoured for 25 years of work supporting young people and underrepresented talent Pamela McCormick, founder and director of UD (formerly Urban Development), has been awarded a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the...more
Roger Daltrey & BPI Statements On Being Awarded A Knighthood
Roger Daltrey said: "It is a wonderful honour for me and especially for Teenage Cancer Trust. I accept this award not only for myself but on behalf of all the unsung heroes who have given their energy towards making the Teenage...more
dBs Institute of Sound & Digital Technologies announces Educator discount for music production postgraduate degrees
dBs Institute is offering a £1,000 discount on postgraduate degree programmes for educators who want to invest in their development. dBs Institute is pleased to announce that it is now offering a £1,000 discount to any currently practising music or music...more
Bandzoogle launches Merch Table Lite: a customizable commission-free online merch storefront for musicians
Musicians can now effortlessly set up a customized, commission-free online storefront using Bandzoogle’s new Merch Table Lite plan—without building a full website. Bandzoogle, the leading all-in-one website platform for musicians, is proud to announce the launch of Merch Table Lite—a new entry-level...more
Universal Music Group and WTSL Launch Joint Venture to Accelerate Commercial Opportunities for Artist-Led IP
Partnership led by Patrick Whitesell will develop new commercial pathways for UMG’s peerless roster and iconic catalog. Universal Music Group (UMG), the world’s leading music-based entertainment company, and WTSL, the Silver Lake-backed investment firm founded by longtime entertainment leader Patrick Whitesell,...more
Alanis Morissette, The B-52's, and Stone Temple Pilots Release Iconic Albums as KiTalbums
KiTbetter and Rhino Records have partnered to release special edition KiTalbums for three landmark titles: Stone Temple Pilots’ Purple, Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill, and The B-52’s’ Cosmic Thing. Each reissue is presented in a collectible keepsake box that combines tangible physical elements...more
EXIT Festival Announces Final Edition in Serbia Due to Undemocratic Pressures
Twenty-five years ago, EXIT Festival was born as a student movement for peace and freedom in Serbia and the Balkans. Since then, it has grown into one of the world’s leading festivals and a global symbol of unity, positive social...more
Ninja Tune publishing company Just Isn't Music announce new deals with Jasmine.4.T, Marie Davisdon & Andreya Triana
PLUS, NINJA TUNE / JIM WIN 'SYNC OF THE YEAR' AWARD | KELLY BURKE JOINS PPL BOARD Ninja Tune publishing company Just Isn't Music have announced a new deal with Jasmine.4.t, the first UK signee to Phoebe Bridgers label Saddest Factory...more
Brit School principal, Stuart Worden receives an OBE for his services to education leading the UK's iconic free arts school in Croydon
Stuart Worden, Principal of The BRIT School for Performing Arts & Technology has been awarded an OBE for services to education in the King's Birthday Honours list 2025. Stuart grew up in Chichester and joined The BRIT School from a career...more
Major new study of 18-25 year olds provides valuable insights into Gen Z's music listening and discovery habits
New report from Blackstar, lemontank and BPI is thought to be one of the largest qualitative studies of its kind around Gen Z's attitudes towards music 500 18-25 year-olds across the UK provided unfiltered insights into their music listening, consumption and...more
Sony Music and LuxuryKSA Partner to Launch Saudi Talent on Global Stage
Partnership will build talent incubator in Saudi Arabia, designed to nurture and develop the next generation of stars Sony Music Middle East today announced a new strategic partnership with Saudi-based entertainment company LuxuryKSA to develop and promote homegrown music talent from...more
Global appoints Jack Morlen as Director of Artist & Entertainment Relations
Global, the Media & Entertainment group, has today announced the promotion of Jack Morlen to Director of Artist & Entertainment Relations. Morlen will lead Global’s artist and entertainment relations strategy across its portfolio of radio brands - including Capital, Heart and...more
UD reveals 2025 incubator class in partnership with PPL
UD’s Incubator programme returns for a third year, while the organisation launches a new Emerging Artist Residency at the Talent House National youth music organisation, UD, has revealed the nine talented young artists selected for its 2025 Incubator programme. Now in...more
The premier global celebration of music video creativity calls for submissions for 2025 edition
The UK Music Video Awards launches its call for submissions from today, June 11 2025, as it commences its search for this year’s standout creative and innovative work in music videos and music visual projects in 38 separate categories. The...more
NTIA Calls for Clarity as Spending Review Brings Mixed Signals Amid Autumn Budget Tax Increase Fears
The UK’s night-time economy stands at a critical juncture following the Chancellor’s recent Spending Review, which announced unprecedented capital expenditure during this Parliament. While elements of the review offer cautious optimism, including long-term commitments to infrastructure and energy investment, many...more
UK Spending Review – Comment from Association of Independent Music
Following on from the UK music industry’s recent open letter to the government calling for £10m for music export, Gee Davy’s comment re-stresses the sector's need for long-term targeted investment:Gee Davy, Chief Executive of AIM, says: “The UK's music is a key...more
Statements on Brian Wilson's death
Sir Lucian Grainge, Chairman and CEO, Universal Music Group"Brian Wilson was one of the most talented singer-songwriters in the history of recorded music. Not only did his songs capture the spirit of youth, joy and longing in ways that still...more
Sony Music Publishing Nashville Launches New Podcast 'Thank a Songwriter' Featuring Award-Winning Hitmaker Ashley Gorley
First episode launches June 12 in celebration of Gorley's Songwriters Hall of Fame induction Sony Music Publishing Nashville today announced the launch of Thank A Songwriter, a new podcast that celebrates the artistry and impact of songwriters shaping country music and...more
The Coca-Cola Company Launches real thing records., A New Record Label Empowering Rising Artists, in Partnership with Universal Music Group
French-New Zealand Singer-Songwriter Max Allais and Indian Singer-Songwriter and Producer Aksomaniac Among real thing records.' First Signees The Coca-Cola Company is partnering with Universal Music Group (UMG) to launch real thing records. (rtr), a new record label dedicated to uplifting burgeoning artistry from around the world,...more
Haribo and Linkin Park are hitting the road together this summer with a limited edition fruit gummy mix
+++ For music and candy lovers: HARIBO is launching an exclusive special edition for the global rock band LINKIN PARK. +++ The product features the band logo and personalized candy pieces for each band member. The six musicians, who are also HARIBO fans...more
O2 Silver Clef Awards 2025: Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Mika, The Last Dinner Party and Aurora announced as final wave of recipients
COUNTDOWN BEGINS FOR ONE OF MUSIC’S BIGGEST NIGHTS IN SUPPORT OF NORDOFF AND ROBBINS MUSIC THERAPY Recipients join previously announced 2025 honourees David Gilmour, Rick Astley, Noah Kahan, Chase & Status, The Corrs and more Ceremony to be held on the evening...more
MITC announce new Online Tour Health and Welfare Coaching services
Flexible, Confidential Mental Health Support for Performers and Touring Professionals The Music Industry Therapist Collective (MITC) has announced a new Online Tour Health and Welfare Coaching platform for artists, performers and touring professionals. The confidential new service offers short-notice expert-led coaching sessions designed to...more
Inaugural SXSW London Welcomed Attendees From 77 Countries and 800 Global Leaders
Former Olympic community head likens SXSW London to 2012 Olympics in terms of long-term impact Festival closed with premiere of LIFE OF CHUCK and Cactus Pears winning Grand Jury Prize in film category, and with final music performances from Idris Elba,...more
TikTok UK Song of the Summer Predictions
Skye Newman – “Family Matters” What Skye Newman has achieved in such a short span is genuinely rare. This debut artist is rewriting the rules. Following viral success with her breakout “Hairdresser,” Skye Newman’s second single “Family Matters” has already broken...more
New report highlights emergence of a two-tier music streaming market favouring scale over diversity and flags need for urgent action
A new report “Combating the Emergence of a Two-Tier Music Streaming Market” has been published today. Analysing recent evolutions in the music streaming market, the report warns that a two-tier industry is emerging which requires “immediate attention”.The analysis has been carried...more
Forward Slash Founder Keturah Cummings Wins 'Music Entrepreneur of the Year' at 2025 Young Music Boss Awards
To be awarded in partnership with AIM on Thursday 12th June Keturah Cummings, founder of social media agency and content production studio Forward Slash, will be named Music Entrepreneur of the Year at the 2025 Young Music Boss (YMB) Awards, which...more
New festival Homestead cancels. AIF calls for Music Festival Tax Relief to mitigate closures and kickstart growth
39 UK festivals have fallen in 2025 to date - equalling half of the 78 that fell in 2024. Somerset's new Homestead festival announced its cancellation today (Monday 9 June) and is the 39th festival to fall so far this year....more
LyricFind statements on Musixmatch motion to dismiss
Statements from Darryl Ballantyne (Founder & CEO of LyricFind) and Kellie Lerner (counsel for LyricFind) regarding Musixmatch's motion to dismiss LyricFind's antitrust lawsuit against them. "As revealed in our now unredacted complaint, we allege this was a classic 'buy or bury' scheme....more
THE HEADLINES
Is the Sabrina Carpenter album art really that offensive? (see Features)
Mid-year analysis of the live business (see Analysis)
Sony Music's Rob Stringer talks catalogues, free streaming, AI and more (see News)
Calls on the EC to conduct an investigation into proposed acquisition of Downtown by Universal (see Opinion)
Data (Use and Access) Bill passes without amendment (see News)
Has the time finally come for metered music experiences? (see Opinion)
What moves the needle for artists in 2025? (see Features)
Tributes pour in for Brian Wilson (see News, Features, Showbiz&News)
These touts made millions - and claimed staff at big ticketing firms helped (see Features)
Billboard names its Independent Power Players (see Features)
New report highlights emergence of a two-tier music streaming market favouring scale over diversity and flags need for urgent action (see Reports)
Ministers’ silence on threats to our creatives is bewildering (see News)
Sony Music Publishing set to acquire Hipgnosis Songs Group (see Business)
Manchester's Co-op Live to host the BRIT Awards (see News)
Elliot Grainge has breathed new life into Atlantic Records (see Features)
BPI CEO addressed the SXSW London conference (see News)
Elton John slams Labour over the AI act (see Opinion)
Jim King's 30-year reign (see Features)
TikTok launches TikTok for Artists (see Digital)
Culture secretary Lisa Nandy talks AI policies and regulation (see News)
A study from ICMP on music publishing revenues shows that digital now dominates (see Reports)