MMF statement on suggestions that UK Govt rejected visa-free touring in the EU 10 Jan 2021
"Last February, the Home Secretary stood up in the House of Commons and claimed that the situation for British musicians touring Europe would be completely unchanged, and that touring routes would operate as they do now. A year one, and such assurances appear to be misplaced and, if recent newspaper reports are true, as a result of intransigence on the part of the UK Government.
NEWS & PRESS
The FAC and University of Hertfordshire expand their Propeller Sessions project to London’s Jazz Cafe
Recent Nettwerk signing Olive Jones, a former awardee from the FAC’s Step Up Fund, is among the latest artists to benefit from free, high-quality video performance footage after recording a Propeller Session To date, more than 20 FAC PRO Members have...more
Generator launches landmark Japan partnership to put northern music on the global stage
BACKED BY REGIONAL MAYORS, THE INITIATIVE MARKS A MAJOR STEP FOR THE NORTH’S INTERNATIONAL MUSIC AMBITIONS FEBRUARY 2026 JAPAN EXCHANGE ANNOUNCED, CONNECTING NORTHERN TALENT WITH JAPAN’S MUSIC INDUSTRY AND THRIVING CREATIVE INFRASTRUCTURE PARTNERSHIPS ANNOUNCED WITH CUEW, MUSIC CITY COUNCIL OF FUKUOKA AND KEF, WITH COLLABORATION FROM OTHER MAJOR INDUSTRY PARTNERS North-headquartered music development agency Generator has today...more
Believe UK and Tileyard Music launch new frontline label Tenace Records
Label to be spearheaded by Co-Presidents Charlie Arme & Michael Harwood. Former Universal Marketing Director Chris Dashwood appointed GM.Globally touring guitar-pop force Pale Waves revealed as debut signing. Believe UK and Tileyard Music have launched a new boutique, frontline label as part...more
Hannah Karp appointed EVP & Chief Communications Officer for Warner Music Group
Accomplished Journalist and former 'Billboard' Editor-in-Chief Joins WMG’s Executive Leadership Team Warner Music Group (NASDAQ: WMG) today announced that highly regarded editor and journalist Hannah Karp has been named EVP & Chief Communications Officer, effective January 26. She joins the company’s executive...more
Universal Music Greater China launches Def Jam Recordings China in Chengdu, the capital of Chinese hiphop
Together With Migu, A Leading Digital Content Platform Under China Mobile, UMG Opens Global Pathways for Chinese Hip-Hop Rooted in Local Culture Universal Music Greater China (UMGC), a division of Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, today announced...more
Audiotool Launches Multiplayer Cloud DAW and Debuts Nexus, an Industry-First Platform for Building Music Production Tools
Audiotool, the browser-based music production platform with more than 300,000 monthly active users, today announced the open beta launch of its redesigned Audiotool Studio, featuring NEXUS, an open developer platform and API that empowers creators and partners to build custom...more
Jacob Alon revealed as this year's BRITs Critics' Choice winner
SUPPORTED BY RADIO 1 THE FIRST WINNER TO BE REVEALED FOR THE BRIT AWARDS 2026 WITH MASTERCARD SATURDAY 28TH FEBRUARY 2026 AT CO-OP LIVE, MANCHESTER ON ITV The BRIT Awards 2026 with Mastercard have today announced that Jacob Alon is the winner of the prestigious BRITs Critics' Choice award...more
WMA announces Global Promotions and new hires as it celebrates 10 years in the US
As it celebrates its 10th anniversary in the US, global digital marketing and creative agency WMA today announced several new executive hires and key promotions internationally. Marking a decade at WMA herself, Crystina Cinti has been elevated to Global Senior...more
Pipeline emerges from stealth and unveils groundbreaking financing platform for independent music sector
Backed by Jamen Capital, Pipeline Raises Over $200 Million to Help Independents Unlock their IP Value, Fund Growth and Compete at Scale Pipeline, a new financing platform focused on music and the wider creative industries, has unveiled its company and offerings...more
Sonopress launches ecorecord.org
New platform consolidates information on sustainable record production around EcoRecord Sonopress, one of the world’s leading manufacturers of physical media, has launched ecorecord.org, a new platform dedicated to sustainable record production. The website expands the company’s existing sustainability approach, EcoRecord, and...more
Mouth Culture sign publishing deal with Notting Hill Music
Fast-rising Leicester alt-rock outfit Mouth Culture are pleased to announce they’ve signed their publishing with Notting Hill Music. The band have been making waves across the UK and beyond with their undeniable melody and musicianship, which hits hard in a...more
The Other Songs have recruited executive Harri Davies to the team as Head of A&R
Global independent music and entertainment company The Other Songs have welcomed globally recognised executive Harri Davies to the team as Head of A&R. Davies has an extensive record of identifying and breaking world-class talent. Most recently serving as Head of A&R...more
RTÉ Choice Music Prize - Irish Album of the Year 2025 / Shortlist Announcement
Celebrating 21 Years of the RTÉ Choice Music Prize RTÉ Choice Music Prize In association with IMRO and IRMA Irish Album of the Year 2025 - Shortlist Announcement A Week of Announcements on RTÉ 2FM Live in Vicar St, Dublin 5th March - with...more
WIN Elects New Board, Appoints New Chair and Vice Chairs in 20th Anniversary Year
Worldwide Independent Network (WIN), the international network that brings together the global independent music community, has appointed its new board of directors for 2026, with Mark Kitcatt, CEO of Everlasting Records (Spain), as its new chair. Kitcatt has spent over four...more
Zoe Ball hosts a new award-winning podcast series
BBC Eras: Phil Collins for Radio 2 and BBC Sounds Zoe Ball is the host of a new series of the award-winning podcast Eras for Radio 2 and BBC Sounds, focussing on the life and legendary career of Phil Collins, who...more
Netease Cloud Music and Universal Music Group announce strategic, multi-year licensing agreement for China
Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, and NetEase Cloud Music, a leading music streaming service provider in China, today announced a strategic multi-year license agreement for UMG's world-leading music catalog of artists and recordings across NetEase Cloud Music's streaming...more
Jerome Porritt named as Head of A&R at RCA Records UK
Sony Music UK today announces the appointment of Jerome Porritt as Head of A&R at RCA Records UK. Reporting into co-presidents Glyn Aikins and Stacey Tang, Porritt brings over a decade of experience in A&R, and most recently held the position...more
Nick Bright to join KISS
KISS is turning up the heat with the announcement that Nick Bright is joining the station, bringing one of the UK’s most exciting broadcast voices to the KISS line-up. Former BBC Radio 1Xtra presenter Nick, will be on air from Monday 2nd February as he takes...more
Universal Music Group launches UK pilot of global education initiative ‘Sound Generation’
Sound Generation kicks off with UK pilot featuring a set of tailored music education resources for primary school The free, online programme will be piloted across all Camden primary schools before rolling out nationwide later this year This builds on UMG UK’s...more
2026 MOBO Awards: Nominations announced for Manchester ceremony
EUROPE’S BIGGEST CELEBRATION OF BLACK MUSIC AND CULTURE COMES TO CO-OP LIVE, MANCHESTER ON 26 MARCH TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW - VISIT MOBO.COM/TICKETS 2026 MARKS 30 YEARS OF THE MOBO ORGANISATION, THREE DECADES OF SHIFTING CULTURE, CHAMPIONING TALENT AND CREATING ICONIC MOMENTS SHOW HOSTS, SUPERSTAR PERFORMERS AND SPECIAL HONOUREES...more
AYO Music Group Grows Roster and Catalog, Expands Gapfinder Tool, and Releases Reissue of Rare Joe Washington Vinyl
Since its official launch in 2024, AYO Music Group, an active copyright administrator offering global administration of publishing, neighboring rights, and recordings, continued to grow throughout 2025 with new additions to their roster, further development of their Gapfinder tool, and upcoming...more
BMG launches SYNC+
A Unified Global Music-for-Media Powerhouse BMG announced today the launch of SYNC+, a new global service uniting Commercial Sync, Production Music, and Media Services under one integrated brand. SYNC+ combines BMG’s world-class repertoire, creative expertise, and strategic music services to deliver a seamless,...more
Youth Music reveals the next generation of diverse music talent in ‘Ones to Watch 2026’
Youth Music unveils 20 emerging artists tipped to shape the future of the UK music industry Alumni from Youth Music’s Ones to Watch lists, including ALT BLK ERA, JayaHadADream and Mali Hâf, have gone on to win MOBO awards and perform at Glastonbury Youth Music’s Ones to Watch list is powered by Wingstop for...more
Open letter from WIN to European Commissioner Dombrovskis: “Europe as a beacon of fair competition”
With just a few weeks until the European Commission’s final decision on the Universal/Downtown deal, WIN wrote to Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis to warn that the proposed remedies will not mitigate the grave risk that the merger poses to fair competition...more
Modern Women have signed to One Little Independent Records
Modern Woman, the London art-rock outfit fronted by primary songwriter Sophie Harris, are set to release their anticipated debut album ‘Johnny’s Dreamworld’ on May 1st 2026 via their new label One Little Independent Records. ‘Johnny’s Dreamworld’ represents the culmination of...more
TMRW Music Group Joins LabelWorx for Global Distribution and Label Services
LabelWorx, the leading global distribution and label services provider for independent electronic music, today announced a new partnership with TMRW Music Group, one of Australia’s most respected and influential electronic music companies. Under the new agreement, LabelWorx will provide full...more
Atlantic Screen Group Secures $30m from Corrum Capital to Accelerate Film, TV Score and Music Catalogue Acquisitions
Atlantic Screen Group (ASG) is pleased to announce that it has secured up to $30m in funding from Corrum Capital. The investment will enable ASG to continue its strategic acquisition of film and television scores, while also providing additional capital...more
Amazon Music Unveils Global 2026 Artists to Watch Campaign
The initiative spotlights breakout artists poised to shape music in 2026, including Destin Conrad, Seyi Vibez, EJAE, Max Styler, PRESIDENT, NewDad, MEOVV, and Adam Klobi across 28 key playlists worldwide The program also includes seven new Amazon Music Originals from VENGAYO,...more
First details revealed for BRITs Fringe with Brighter Sound
BRING ON THE BRITs WITH MASTERCARD: THE 2026 NOMINATIONSWATCH ON WEDNESDAY 21ST JANUARY FROM 5PM ON THE BRITs’ INSTAGRAM AND FACEBOOK WHATSAPP ANNOUNCED AS 2026 OFFICIAL VOTING PARTNER THE BRIT AWARDS 2026 WITH MASTERCARDSATURDAY 28TH FEBRUARY 2026 AT CO-OP LIVE, MANCHESTER ON ITV In a...more
Mercury Prize shines global spotlight on Newcastle and the North East
New figures have shown the region's economy received a boost of more than £1.4 million by hosting the 2025 Mercury Prize. A new report commissioned and published by Newcastle City Council has highlighted the huge impact the awards ceremony and fringe activity had...more
THE HEADLINES
Music Venue Trust annual report highlights ongoing issues, and optimism (see News)
Do Spotify’s AI Playlists change how algorithmic discovery actually works? (see Features)
A&R 2026: We lost "R" (see Opinion)
Do most artists peak with their first album? (see Analysis)
Court battle over unpaid royalties could have implications for the industry in the streaming era (see News)
Luminate released its 2025 year-end music report (see Reports)
Impala sets out crucial questions on UMG/Downtown, AI, sovereignty and more for EU & music sector (see Comment)
Spotify’s new co-CEOs highlight what’s ahead for the company (see Digital)
Music publishers sued by X in growing licensing battle (see News)
Call on EU to clamp down on unauthorised ticket reselling (see News)
Lucian Grainge outlines UMG's 2026 plans in staff memo (see News)
Skye Newman wins Radio 1's Sound of 2026 (see News)
Spotify now lets you share what you’re streaming in real time with friends (see Digital)