UK music tech sector faces critical 10 Jul 2025
A comprehensive new report from Music Technology UK (MTUK), the UK trade association dedicated to supporting music tech startups, reveals that the UK music tech sector is at a critical inflection point.
NEWS & PRESS
LIVE, NAA, MVT, BACH urge Government rethink on tax hike ahead of critical Autumn Budget
The live music sector has written to Government calling for an exemption for live music venues from the new higher business rates multiplier for large properties. The Government's new business rates policy will raise business rates for buildings with a rateable...more
Long-Overdue Licensing Reform Offers Hope for a Modern, Balanced System Says NTIA
Statement from Michael Kill, CEO of the Night Time Industries Association on the Government’s “Cheers to Change” Licensing Consultation Announcement “We are pleased to see the Government’s announcement of an expedited consultation period following the Licensing Taskforce’s recent recommendations, as part...more
AWAL promotes Arif Mahmud to General Counsel & SVP of Global Business Affairs
Arif Mahmud has been promoted to the role of General Counsel and SVP of Global Business Affairs at AWAL. Arif is based in AWAL’s London office and will continue to report to Lonny Olinick, the company’s CEO. Arif started his career...more
Nina Protocol Launches Revenue Share System That Pays Fans for Music Discovery
Music platform Nina Protocol today launched Community Revenue Share, a system that pays fans directly when they help artists sell music. For the first time, listeners, curators, and tastemakers can earn money for the music discovery and sharing they already...more
Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, Elton John and Adele named the most influential artists for brand partnerships
Luminate – the entertainment industry’s leading data partner – have released a new report - Matching Marketers with Music Talent. The report reveals how brands can apply a “moneyball” approach to music partnerships – using data, not just instinct, to identify artists who align...more
Black Lives in Music Presents: Classically Black, 2025
Kings Place, London 18th October The one day symposium classical event returns for a second year Featuring Dr Kadiatu Kanneh-Mason, Pete Letanka, Simmy Singh, Sabi Ensemble, The Jollof House Party Opera, Paulette Bayley and DJ Spoony & Friends and more ‘New...more
LOLA. ARTISTS launches as new independent live music agency led by Jamie Wade
Today marks the official launch of LOLA. ARTISTS, a new independent live music agency founded by UK agent Jamie Wade. LOLA.ARTISTS will introduce a new agency model rooted in trust, creativity, and long-term vision. Dedicated to representing artists across live touring,...more
Kid Harpoon announced as the first ever ‘Producer in Residence’ at Abbey Road Studios
Grammy & BRIT award winning producer, songwriter, and musician Kid Harpoon announced as the first ever ‘Producer in Residence’ at Abbey Road Studios ABBEY ROAD’S ANNUAL AMPLIFY PROGRAMME EXPANDS TO MANCHESTER FOR THE FIRST TIME THIS NOVEMBER Today, (Thursday 9 October) GRAMMY...more
Warner Chappell Music signs global publishing deal with Sam Hales
Today, Warner Chappell Music is proud to announce the signing of a global publishing deal with one of Australia’s most acclaimed songwriters, Sam Hales. The agreement will encompass Sam’s entire catalogue and future works. Dan Rosen, President of Warner Music Australasia...more
BMG and Spotify sign new US direct licensing agreement
Spotify and global music company BMG have entered into a direct, multiyear US publishing licensing agreement designed to deliver greater value to songwriters and their teams. This agreement reflects BMG and Spotify’s shared interest in building a direct relationship that ensures songwriters...more
The Live Trust appoints Antonia Lines as Senior Programmes Manager
LIVE (Live music Industry Venues & Entertainment), which represents 15 live music industry organisations, has announced the appointment of Antonia Lines to the position of Senior Programmes Manager, LIVE Trust.They will be based in London and will report to Jon...more
EcoRecord Marks New Era of Sustainable LP Production, Enabled by Sonopress Innovation and Material Support from Indorama Ventures
Sonopress, a global leader in media manufacturing and entertainment services, has started the production of EcoRecord® — the world’s first long-playing (LP) record made from recyclable PET — for the US market, marking a major advance in sustainable music production....more
Isabel Garvey to leave WMG
Extracts from Isabel Garvey's note to all UK WMG employees Hi everyone,I have some personal news to share with you today. I've decided...to step down from my role and leave the company at the end of December. I'm excited by the prospect...more
AI-generated music TV presenters coming to TV in broadcasting revolution
AI-generated TV presenters will host ROXi music TV channel Launching today on Sky Q, Sky Stream and Sky Glass in the UK and Ireland Launching today on NEXTGEN TV in the US, including Sinclair and Gray markets FastStream Interactive announces the introduction of...more
BBC Radio 6 Music presents New Music Fix Live in Sheffield this November
Tonight, on their New Music Fix Daily show on BBC Radio 6 Music (Mondays – Thursdays, 7-9pm), Deb Grant and Nathan Shepherd announced that this year's New Music Fix Live will take place in Sheffield from Monday 24th – Thursday 27th November. For...more
Believe announces the launch of Believe Music Publishing, expanding its ability to serve and empower independent songwriters and publishers
Believe, one of the world's leading music companies, announces today the launch of Believe Music Publishing, a key milestone in Believe’s ambition to be one global artist development company. This innovative digital-first music publishing offering expands Believe’s ability to serve...more
Lila releases the South Asian soundcheck
First comprehensive study into the South Asian experience reveals a fundamental lack of support and representation is holding back progress Clear need identified for mentorship, representation and investment Results indicate: ● Only 28% are able to rely on music as their full-time source...more
“Big Swagger Energy” - The Brand Winners of Oasis’ Reunion
The Oasis reunion wasn’t just a cultural moment for fans; it was an opportunity for brands to get involved and capture the irreverent energy synonymous with the band. But who piggybacked off Oasis the best? With the UK leg of the...more
Focaldata to power UK entertainment industry’s benchmark consumer tracking study
Focaldata, the UK’s fastest-growing research company, will power the entertainment industry’s benchmark consumer tracking study. Using its proprietary AI technology, Focaldata will conduct the twice-yearly study into the entertainment preferences and behaviours of 2,000 UK consumers on behalf of the digital entertainment...more
Beatport Next 2026: Applications Now Open
Beatport Next 2026: Applications Now Open Championing breakthrough artists at the forefront of electronic music Breaking into the music world has never been more competitive. Thousands of DJs and producers release tracks every day, but only a few break through. Beatport Next was created to...more
Queen crowned the most played rock act of the 21st century on UK radio and TV
David Bowie, U2, Oasis and Fleetwood Mac complete the Top 5, as new PPL data reveals the nation’s enduring love of rock – to celebrate National Album Day Queen have been named the UK’s most played rock act of the 21st...more
White Label Auction in aid of The BRIT Trust
Rare 1975 test pressing of Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody 7" single goes for £8,800 in the White Label Auction in aid of The BRIT Trust – contributing to a £44,620 total ...more
UK Music Conservative Party Conference Panel
Leading figures from across politics and the music industry gathered at the Conservative Party Conference to explore how backing British music can drive growth, creativity, and innovation in the years ahead. Hosted by UK Music Chief Executive Tom Kiehl, the panel –...more
Pulse Music Group forms publishing partnership with Mark Ronson’s Zelig Music
First Collaborative Signing to the JV is Becky and the Birds PULSE Music Group has formed a music publishing joint venture with artist/songwriter/producer/composer Mark Ronson as announced today by PULSE Music Group co-CEOs Josh Abrahamand Scott Cutler; PULSE Music Group President, Ashley Calhoun; and Senior Vice President/Head of...more
The South Asian Soundcheck: first ever study reveals fundamental lack of support for South Asian music creators and professionals
LILA RELEASES THE SOUTH ASIAN SOUNDCHECK First comprehensive study into the South Asian experience in UK music reveals a fundamental lack of support and representation is holding back progress Clear need identified for mentorship, representation and investment Results indicate: ● Only 28% are able to...more
Killabop: new label launched by UK music exec Nav Sidhu, signs worldwide deal with Virgin Music Group
Killabop is an exciting new label venture from Hopeless Records UK executive Nav Sidhu. The label will primarily focus on signing UK alternative-rock artists and developing them across the globe via an exclusive worldwide distribution deal with Virgin Music Group....more
Amsterdam Dance Event completes 2025 program with final names as lineup grows larger and more diverse than ever
Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE), the world's largest festival and business gathering for electronic music, has just completed the lineup for its 2025 edition. The total program spans over 3.300 artists performing at 1.200 events in nearly 250 venues across its...more
Don Leisure wins Welsh Music Prize 2025 for album Tyrchu Sain
Don Leisure has won the Welsh Music Prize as album Tyrchu Sain picked up the £10,000 prize for the best album made in Wales or by Welsh people around the world this past year in a ceremony at the Wales Millennium...more
Oram Awards Launch UK-Wide ORAM/100 Tour Celebrating Daphne Oram’s Centenary
Honouring Daphne Oram's centenary, throughout late 2025 the Oram Awards, in partnership with Outlands Network, is embarking on a tour to uplift and inspire female and gender-expansive sound artists and musicians in communities and grassroots venues across the UK. The Oram...more
Claimy raises €1.5m to unlock the music industry’s missing royalties
AI-powered platform will help solve the “black box issue”, delivering more money to music creators globally Paris-based startup backed by notable music and tech industry insiders Every year, an estimated 30% of music rights go missing or are misallocated, representing...more
THE HEADLINES
Sam Altman: the man who stole the rights from copyright. If he’s the future, can we go backwards? (see Features)
Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl discusses the company's “tremendous catalogue” (see Features)
There’s a £1 idea that could save small music venues. Is Live Nation holding it back? (see Features)
Breaking down the arguments around VMG’s Downtown Music acquisition (see Analysis)
Vevo report shows how fandom turns passion into impact and purchasing power (see Reports)
The music industry must plan for the day when AI music-generation tools produce humanlike music in bulk (see Features)
Price cap on ticket resales set to be introduced (see News)
Raye and Sony’s Jon Platt speak out for songwriters at Ivors Academy Honours Ceremony (see News)
Does Daniel Ek deserve to be the richest ever man in music? (see Comment)
Independent music community publishes '100 Voices' on why Universal’s acquisition of Downtown should be blocked (see News)
Universal and Warner said to be close to landmark AI licensing deals (see News)
Industry leaders outline challenges to Creative Industries Minister (see News)
Spotify isn’t broken, it’s working exactly as intended (see Comment)