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
Blue Flowers Celebrates 20 Years - Announces Special Live Show on 9th July
Marking two decades of championing some of the most exciting talent the UK has to offer, Blue Flowers — the West London collective that evolved from a beloved local live night into one of the UK’s most respected independent record...more
Barclays announces new partnerships with two of the UK's most iconic venues: The O2 and Co-op Live
Barclays continues to expand its impressive sponsorship portfolio through multi-year venue partnerships, aligning with some of the UK’s biggest passions Ahead of a huge summer of events, Barclays today announces its brand-new partnerships with two of the most iconic live venues...more
Independent Venue Community announce a wave of new supporters, including The Last Dinner Party, Radiohead's Philip Selway and Public Service Broadcasting
The BRIT Award-winning band are announced as Ambassadors during a Parliamentary reception for IVC - the recently-launched sister charity of Independent Venue Week, that aims to promote daytime community activities in music venues 18 patrons have also come onboard to support...more
TikTok and SoundCloud announce new Add to Music App partnership
SoundCloud and TikTok are pleased to announce a new partnership that will see SoundCloud integrated into TikTok's music discovery feature, Add to Music App. Add to Music App is a feature which gives music fans the ability to save the songs they discover on TikTok to...more
Universal Music Group to relocate New York offices to the Penn District
World leader in music-based entertainment lands new space for Eastern U.S. operations of iconic labels, businesses New offices will feature state-of-the-art production facilities, retail space and premium digital signage in heart of Manhattan Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based...more
Department for Business and Trade & Music Technology UK announce inaugural UK MusicTech Mission to Los Angeles
The UK's Department for Business and Trade (DBT), in partnership with Music Technology UK (MTUK), has announced the ten innovative UK music technology companies selected to participate in the inaugural UK MusicTech Mission to Los Angeles, taking place June 9-11,...more
Payday Music Publishing announces agreement for Kenny Young catalogue
New Signings & Big Hits for UK Division Payday Music Publishing (‘Payday Publishing’), the leading independent publisher of Electronic Dance Music, Pop, Hip-Hop, Jazz and Reggae, has announced a publishing deal with the estate of the late Kenny Young. Kenny Young was...more
The Ivors 2025: Myles Smith and Darren Kiely to release Amazon Original tracks plus exclusive livestream performances
AMAZON MUSIC TO LIVESTREAM PERFORMANCES FROM LOLA YOUNG AND MYLES SMITH FROM THE IVORS BEA AND HER BUSINESS AND DARREN KIELY TO PERFORM BACKSTAGE EXCLUSIVELY FOR AMAZON MUSIC AMAZON ORIGINALS - MYLES SMITH COVERS "BEAUTIFUL DAY" BY U2 AVAILABLE HERE - WITH DARREN KIELY...more
Cleber Augusto releases new album with the assistance of AI
Warner Music Brazil helps artist who lost his voice to throat cancer The deluxe version of the album Minhas Andanças is out today, capping off a remarkable project that brings the voice of Brazilian samba legend Cleber Augusto back to the spotlight. Blending...more
Creators and industry leaders rally for faithful implementation of AI regulation at European Parliament
Europe's creative sectors call on EU policymakers to uphold transparency, consent, and creators' rights in AI Act implementation Last night, cultural and creative voices from across Europe came together in the European Parliament with a united message: the EU policymakers must...more
Introducing Fender Studio - Record, jam and create with the authentic sound of Fender amps and effects
In An Industry First, New App Brings One-Tap Recording, Mixing and Jam Tracks to Mobile, Tablet and Desktop Devices Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) today announces the launch of Fender® Studio, the all-new app for recording, jamming and capturing creativity wherever and whenever...more
European creators led by Bjorn Ulvaeus meet top EU policymakers to ensure Transparency, Consent, and Remuneration for creators in AI market
A high-level delegation of creators led by ABBA co-founder and CISAC President Björn Ulvaeus has visited Brussels to call for action by the EU to safeguard creators’ rights in the AI era. DOWNLOAD ULVAEUS' FULL SPEECH They met on May 20-21 with...more
National Album Day returns on 18 October with this year celebrating Rock
NATIONAL ALBUM DAY RETURNS ON SATURDAY 18TH OCTOBER 2025, THIS YEAR CELEBRATING ROCK National Album Day returns on Saturday 18th October 2025 with this year’s theme celebrating Rock, following previous editions that, among other themes, have focused on the albums of the 90s, Women in Music, Debut Albums and, just last year, Great...more
BBC Radio 1 Presenter and DJ Jodie Bryant joins Youth Music as new Ambassador
Jodie Bryant, known for presenting the BBC Radio 1’s Future Pop show and championing new musical talent, joins Youth Music as an Ambassador Throughout the Ambassadorship, Jodie will amplify a variety of Youth Music initiatives, including the Next Generation Day with BBC...more
Dua Lipa is the most played artist in the UK for the second time in five years
Noah Kahan claims most played track of 2024 with ‘Stick Season’, while country music makes waves in the UKPPL can reveal that Dua Lipa was the most played artist across radio, TV and public places in the UK throughout 2024....more
FastStream Interactive acquires ROXi, prepares to revolutionise US Broadcast TV
* Management-led buy-out of ROXi technology and business* Revolutionary free Interactive TV Channels to launch imminently* Backed by major US broadcasters including Sinclair and Gray* FSI shareholders also include Adam Clayton, Guy Hands, Jim Mellon Management at music video streaming service...more
Cherry Red Records announce acquisition of Dome Records
Lulu, Beverley Knight, Incognito & James Taylor Quartet Included in Catalogue Purchase. Cherry Red Records has announced the acquisition of UK label Dome Records from directors Peter and Santosh Robinson. Founded in 1992 by industry veteran Robinson, the company’s extensive catalogue...more
UK Music responds to EU touring announcement in today's UK-EU summit
Touring is referred to in point 15 of the Common Understanding document below: 15. The European Commission and the United Kingdom recognise the value of travel and cultural and artistic exchanges, including the activities of touring artists. They will continue their efforts to...more
Recognition Music Group establishes senior advisory group
Recognition Music Group, a leading music rights and investment company, today announced the formation of its Senior Advisory Group and appointed Matt Spetzler as Chairman, alongside Lisa Alter and David H Johnson as members. The Senior Advisory Group will provide...more
UK Music Industry Sends a Postcard Plea from Great Escape Festival to Political Leaders to Remove Barriers to EU Touring ahead of Summit
Legendary music industry broadcaster Steve Lamacq and Kaiser Chiefs' Simon Rix were among a raft of musicians, artists, and industry leaders who united at Brighton's Great Escape Festival to urge political leaders to sweep away the barriers to touring the...more
Unchained Music partners with Sonic Wax for vinyl manufacturing and distribution
Partnership will see artists on Web3 platform effortlessly gain a physical presence in record stores Pioneering distribution and services company Unchained Music has agreed a manufacturing and distribution partnership with respected vinyl pressing plant Sonic Wax. The innovative partnership will see select...more
The Ivors Academy unveils free membership, new brand and website to champion songwriters and composers
To kick off Ivors Week, The Ivors Academy – the UK's leading organisation for songwriters and composers – has unveiled a new brand and website as part of a major relaunch of its membership offer, reaffirming its commitment to be...more
Brockwell Festivals Battle Marks Dark Day for Culture, Workers, and Community - NTIA Warns
Comment from Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association: “The legal action brought against Lambeth Council over the Brockwell Park festivals is emblematic of a much deeper crisis facing our cultural and events landscape. If these festivals are unable...more
Popindia announces the acquisition of Musicraft Entertainment catalog in India
PopIndia, Reservoir Media, Inc.’s (Nasdaq: RSVR) newly launched subsidiary based in Mumbai, India, today announced the acquisition of publishing and master rights to the entire Musicraft Entertainment catalog. This marks the Company's first catalog deal in India. Established in 1980, Musicraft...more
IMPALA launches new EU-funded support scheme to boost change-making initiatives in the indie sector
IMPALA, the European association of independent music companies, has launched a new EU-funded support scheme aimed at boosting sector-led initiatives working on equity, diversity, inclusion (EDI), and environmental sustainability. The initiative is part of IMPALA's broader work programme as a recognised EU cultural network and...more
Sony Music Publishing Nashville and Kane Brown's Verse 2 Music Renew Partnership
Deals extends joint venture helmed by country star Kane Brown and Industry Veteran Kent Earls Sony Music Publishing Nashville today announced the renewal of its partnership with Verse 2 Music, led by multi-platinum, award-winning country music superstar Kane Brown and industry...more
New report shows independent promoters as vital champions of local talent - but under threat
First of its kind AIP Report details composition, contribution and struggles of independent promoters in the UK. Most survey respondents showcased local talent in over 51% of their events in 2024. But 55% supplement their income with other work. The Association of Independent...more
ClicknClear selected as a finalist for the world intellectual property organization (WIPO) global awards
CLICKnCLEAR SELECTED AS A FINALIST FOR THE WORLD INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY ORGANIZATION (WIPO) GLOBAL AWARDS Further strong validation of the company’s innovative music rights tech platform and business momentum with both sports and music. The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has selected ClicknClear...more
Full Time Hobby signs Dead Pioneers under Bucks sponsorship deal
Band signed to Full Time Hobby sister Hassle Records last year. Full Time Hobby has signed Dead Pioneers to its publishing roster under its sponsorship agreement with Bucks Music Group. The agreement between Full Time Hobby and Bucks Music Group means that...more
Spandau Ballet's Gary Kemp shares his concerns with the state of touring and how labels 'rely on artist's social media' to sell them
Spandau Ballet's Gary Kemp shares his concerns with the state of touring and how labels 'rely on artist's social media' to sell them, in a new podcast released today Following on from the successful launch of his new album ‘The Destination’,...more
THE HEADLINES
SoundCloud integrates into TikTok's Add to Music App (see Digital)
Why some artists are rethinking touring (see Analysis)
Spotify reveals its Songs Of Summer predictions (see Digital)
Government defeated for third time in Lords over copyright protection against AI (see News)
Young people are being excluded from live music (see Comment)
Lambeth council acted ‘irrationally’ over approval of summer festivals, High Court rules (see News)
UK Music and Elton John deliver warning about Government’s AI copyright plans (see News)
You can’t put a price on culture—but you can put a price on saving it (see Comment)
SoundCloud backtracks on AI-related terms-of-use updates (see Digital)
Data Bill returns to the Commons today for crucial vote (see News)
Music discovery is not dead, just evolving (see Comment)
The business fundamentals behind DSP's and what this means for music (see Comment)
Artists urge Prime Minister to rethink AI copyright plans (see News)
Tariffs, tours, and trade wars: Why music investment won’t slow down (see Comment)
Unintended consequences – the year ahead for streaming (see Comment)