UD's flagship event, Industry Takeover, reveals full September line-up featuring first time collaborations with BBC Music and V&A East 18 Sep 2024
Four days of knowledge sharing and expertise from the industry’s finest
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A U-Talk powered by Universal Music introducing executives from Polydor, Decca and Island Records;
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A session on Unlocking Revenue Streams powered by PRS for Music with BAFTA Breakthrough composer Jamal Green, UK R&B rising star Nippa, British singer and rapper Jords, Pink Floyd-influenced producer / artist Richard Carter and European Entertainment Marketing lead at Puma, Vaniece J;
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A panel on How to Steal My Job with industry players from BBC Introducing London, PRS for Music, Soundcloud and UK Music;
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Meet The Experts, masterclasses and speed networking sessions with BBC Music, CC Young & Co, Handle Recruitment, London Legacy Development Good Growth Hub, PPL, Small Green Shoots, Un:hurd and Y Royalties.
NEWS & PRESS
UK nightlife isn’t dead, it’s thriving underground - One in three Gen Z say the best DJ sets happen at house parties
New research highlights the enduring role of house parties, with over a quarter of Gen Z and Millennials playing their first DJ set at one One in three Gen Z say they have been inspired to learn to DJ after experiencing a house...more
Alex Black named Vice President, A&R, Peermusic
Peermusic, the world’s largest global independent music publishing and neighbouring rights company with 39 offices in 32 countries, has appointed Alex Black to Vice President, A&R as announced today by Jamie Cerreta, President U.S. and Canada, Peermusic. In this role, Alex Black will work...more
PPL appoints Anne-Marie Pearce as Chief Financial Officer
PPL has appointed Anne-Marie Pearce as its new Chief Financial Officer. She succeeds Chris Barton, who announced earlier this year he would be leaving the collective management organisation at the end of 2025. As CFO, Anne-Marie will join the Executive Leadership...more
Reservoir announces joint venture with Jamaican star Skatta Burrell & Abood Music
Reservoir Media, Inc. (NASDAQ: RSVR, the “Company”), an award-winning independent music company, today announced a new joint venture with multi-hyphenate Jamaican star Cordell “Skatta” Burrell and reggae and dancehall publisher Abood Music. Together, they will look to both acquire catalogs...more
Help Musicians Partner with Tiffany Calver to Launch UK Rap Award Career Accelerator
Help Musicians launches new Career Accelerator for rap artists. Charity joins forces with Tiffany Calver to highlight the contributions of UK rap. Addressing barriers facing Black and underrepresented artists in the music industry. Help Musicians today announces the launch of the UK Rap Award, a...more
Warner Music Group and Suno forge groundbreaking partnership
Companies will collaborate on next-generation licensed AI music that empowers the creative community and opens new revenue opportunities for artists and songwriters Warner Music Group (Nasdaq: WMG), one of the world's largest music companies, and Suno, the leader in AI music,...more
UK’s leading Choir for Refugees and Allies releases debut album Echo of Your Voice
Echo of Your Voice - a 10-track album bursting with hope and joy - is available for pre-save from Wednesday 26th November, 2025 Celebrating the rich diversity and wonderful community of this never more relevant choir, the Citizens of the World...more
The Snuts launch new label Happy Artist Records for the band's next record and partner with Virgin Music Group for global distribution
HAPPY ARTIST RECORDS - LED BY THE SNUTS’ FRONTMAN, JACK COCHRANE - WILL SUPPORT AND CHAMPION EMERGING SCOTTISH AND REGIONAL UK TALENT The Snuts have announced the launch of Happy Artist Records, a new label created to release the band’s next record...more
Impala welcomes the EC’s findings so far that UMG’s proposed acquisition of Downtown has risks for Europe’s digital market – issues reminder that concerns go beyond data
In response to today’s press release from the European Commission, IMPALA has issued the following statement: “IMPALA welcomes the European Commission’s statement today confirming to UMG that the proposed acquisition of Downtown raises concerns about restricting competition in the wholesale distribution of recorded music market, in...more
European Commission sends Statement of Objections over proposed acquisition of Downtown by UMG
The European Commission has informed Universal Music Group ('UMG') of its preliminary view that its proposed acquisition of Downtown may restrict competition in the market for the wholesale distribution of recorded music. UMG is globally active in music recording, music publishing, merchandising, and audiovisual content. Downtown is a...more
Propaganda Independent Venues Acquires TEG's UK Venue Estate
The Bristol-based independent reacquires Tramshed in Cardiff together with XOYO London, XOYO Birmingham, Camden Assembly, and The Globe in Cardiff... Propaganda's Dan Ickowitz-Seidler, along with Richard Buck, have together launched Propaganda Independent Venues and announced the acquisition of TEG's UK venue...more
Warner Music India Inks Exclusive Global Distribution Deal with Ultra Music India
Warner Music India has announced a strategic partnership with Ultra Music, one of India's most prominent music labels, establishing an exclusive worldwide distribution alliance. As a part of the deal, Warner Music India will take over the distribution of Ultra Music's...more
As autumn budget looms - 73% say government failing UK nightlife says new NTIA & Obsurvant consumer survey
Feedback from people taking part in the NTIA & Obsurvant survey have highlighted that they feel that Government Neglect, Streets Unsafe, Transport not sufficient, Culture at Risk. New research from Obsurvant, in partnership with the Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), paints...more
Game My Fan launches world's first "Album as a Game" in partnership with Primary Wave Music
Revolutionary Music Distribution Platform Taps $80 Billion Gaming Market for Artists' Direct-to-Fan Engagement Rock Legends Bad Company Become First Artist to Launch Album as a Game Game My Fan, a direct to fan music distribution platform founded by the team behind...more
The F-List for Music announces DJ Paulette to be 6th President
The F-List for Music is delighted to announce that internationally renowned DJ Paulette will serve as its 6th President. Paulette takes on the honorary role from Miranda Cooper, following in the footsteps of Hannah Peel, Professor Shirley J Thompson, Brix...more
Britain’s Late-Night Economy Could Lose 10,000 More Businesses and 150,000 Jobs by 2028 - Chancellor Must Act in Autumn Budget
Industry Leaders Warn That Without Intervention, Hundreds of Thousands of Jobs, Businesses and UK Cultural Identity Are at Risk Britain’s late-night economy is under severe strain. Rising costs, shifting consumer behaviour, and the potential for higher taxation in the upcoming Autumn...more
Landmark report boosts support for Manchester's music venues and spurs launch of new grassroots venues network
Manchester Music City (MMC) with the support of Manchester City Council have published a landmark report to strengthen the city's grassroots music venues, a vital part of Manchester's cultural and economic life. The findings from the report have also led to the launch...more
Warner Music Group and Udio collaborate to build a new licensed music creation service
Warner Music Group (NASDAQ: WMG) and Udio today announced a landmark agreement that resolves the companies' copyright infringement litigation and establishes a clear framework for the development of Udio's licensed AI music creation service, set to launch in 2026.Through this collaboration,...more
Reservoir acquires catalog of American singer-songwriter Bertie Higgins
Reservoir Media, Inc. (NASDAQ: RSVR), an award-winning independent music company, today announced the acquisition of the catalog of American singer-songwriter Bertie Higgins, including his publishing and master recording rights. Bertie Higgins cemented himself as an icon in yacht rock, particularly earning...more
Impala welcomes new Ukrainian trade association member
NEW CAPACITY-BUILDING SCHEME FOR YOUNG ASSOCIATIONS LAUNCHED Following its Annual General Meeting in Zagreb, IMPALA is announcing the launch of a capacity-building scheme for its new member associations. IMPALA is also welcoming a new Ukrainian trade association member, the recently founded SPILNA. Under...more
Music technology company Klay signs first-of-its-kind AI licensing deals
MUSIC TECHNOLOGY COMPANY KLAY SIGNS FIRST-OF-ITS-KIND AI LICENSING DEALS WITH UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP, UNIVERSAL MUSIC PUBLISHING GROUP, SONY MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT, SONY MUSIC PUBLISHING, WARNER MUSIC GROUP & WARNER CHAPPELL MUSIC Music Technology Company Helping to Pioneer AI Licensing Los Angeles-based music technology company KLAY Vision...more
Audiomack Introduces Pro, Coming Soon to Artists Worldwide
Today, global streaming service Audiomack announced the upcoming launch of Audiomack Pro, a new premium program designed to help the more than one million artists on the platform find new fans and better understand their audiences. The waitlist for Pro...more
Winners revealed at Rolling Stone UK Awards 2025
Winners revealed at star-studded ceremony for the ZYN ROLLING STONE UK AWARDS 2025Hosted by DANNY DYER Performances by Noel Hogan of The Cranberries and Royel Otis in tribute to Delores O'Riordan, Myles Smith, Jacob Alon and Fayth Ifil from Just For One Day: The Live Aid Musical Award recipient...more
Amazon Music joins forces with POWER UP to create vital space for Participants with a brand new residential strand
Residential took place in collaboration with Amazon Music in Manchester at NQ from 19th – 20th November for the Year 5 Participants 5 new members joining the POWER UP Executive Steering Committee including POWER UP Year 1 Participants POWER UP announces today that the new collaboration...more
PRS for Music strengthens commitment to member service excellence with appointment of Chief Membership Officer
PRS for Music is pleased to announce that Sally Weir has been appointed Chief Membership Officer. Sally will join the UK's largest collecting society which represents more than 180,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers in January 2026. Sally brings a wealth of...more
BBC Radio 2 listeners to vote for 'Your Ultimate Stevie Wonder Song'
This morning, Scott Mills announced on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show that voting has opened for Your Ultimate Stevie Wonder Song, an online vote to discover Radio 2's listeners' favourite Stevie Wonder song. The results will be revealed in a special countdown show...more
SXSW London announces first speakers for 2026 festival, including experts and change makers in business, technology and culture
With tickets now on sale and new programming tracks confirmed, SXSW London reveals the first speakers for its highly-anticipated second edition to take place in Shoreditch from 1-6 June 2026. The first group of speakers reflects the dynamic convergence of business, technology and culture that sets SXSW...more
All Things Considered Group confirms move to the Alternative Investment Market and raises £8.6m to accelerate further expansion
ALL THINGS CONSIDERED GROUP ("ATC") CONFIRMS MOVE TO THE ALTERNATIVE INVESTMENT MARKET ("AIM") AND RAISES £8.6M TO ACCELERATE FURTHER EXPANSION The new funding will accelerate ATC's momentum in building data-led 'direct to fan' services, alongside the growth of key business operations James...more
AEG Presents UK Unveils British Airways ARC at Olympia, London Booking diary open now for 2026 launch
Booking diary open now for 2026 launch AEG Presents UK, a division of AEG’s global sports, entertainment and venue operator business announced today the official opening of the booking diary and the name of their newest venue. The 3,800-capacity state-of-the-art, purpose-built live...more
Beyond Streaming: FreshTunes Gets Music to the Creator Economy with New Network Expansion
Expansion includes Canva, Snap, Soundtrack Your Brand, and others FreshTunes, the leading freemium artist services company, has concluded several key technical integrations to provide music to services and platforms entwined with the creator economy. This expansion demonstrates FreshTunes’ commitment to take...more
THE HEADLINES
Warner Music signs deal with Suno, settles lawsuit (see News)
EC sends UMG its statement of objections to Downtown acquisition (see News)
20 years of Spotify — who’s winning, losing and making money? (see Features)
The future of labels: Shifting sands (see Comment)
Robert Kyncl on Udio deal: Growing the value of music for artists and songwriters (see News)
Ticket touts’ worst nightmare has finally come true (see Comment)
Universal's bid for Downtown is set to be hit by a formal warning from European Union watchdogs (see Business)
Reselling tickets for profit to be outlawed in UK government crackdown (see News)
Some answers to Haven's 'I Run' chart-excluded track (see News)
"Without competition, the free market becomes a monopoly" (see Opinion)
What are pop-up shows teaching us about building fandom in 2025? (see Analysis)
How much AI will audiences accept in music and movies? (see Analysis)
Stars urge Kier Starmer to tackle ‘pernicious’ ticket tout websites (see News)