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
BMG achieves all-time high EBITDA margin in first half 2025
BMG has reported a solid financial performance for the first half of 2025, highlighted by a strong EBITDA margin of 29%, an increase of 2%-points compared to H1 2024. This growth was driven by a more profitable business mix, resulting from a...more
The Featured Artists Coalition (FAC) announces free ARTIST DAY events in Bristol, Newcastle, Leicester and Leeds
The one-day events will encourage artists in each city to come together alongside established artists, to share experiences and knowledge, and receive tips from music businesses and industry experts The 2025 ARTIST DAY series kicks off at Bristol Beacon on Saturday...more
Singer-songwriter MOLIY has signed a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music
Singer-songwriter MOLIY has signed a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music, the music publishing arm of Warner Music Group, covering her catalogue and future works. MOLIY first found success in 2020 when her debut EP Wondergirl received airplay in her home country...more
Beatport - The World's Largest Music Store for DJs - In partnership with Warner Music Group, announces Global Remix Challenge for Madonna's Iconic 'Ray of Light'
Producers worldwide are invited to reimagine one of pop music's most groundbreaking electronic records, originally produced by Madonna and William Orbit. The grand prize, worth over $12,000, includes cutting-edge production hardware, premium software, and a signed vinyl from Madonna herself. Beatport, Warner Music...more
Music icons named to lead NewcastleGateshead Music City board
Ambitious Music City plan to grow the North East music industry, backed by landmark research project, reveals £360m+ economic potential Initiative backed by North Shields’ BRIT Award-winning artist Sam Fender Full research report to be published later in 2025 Two of the most influential and...more
UK management company PARADE expands to North America following signings of Jamie Woon and Berwyn
Parade, founded by Leon Wright, have recently added Jamie Woon and Berwyn to their roster. Loies Kim will co-lead the London-based company’s NYC office. London-based management company Parade has announced an expansion into North America. Founded by Leon Wright in 2023, Parade has...more
The Cat's Mother Network teams up with UTA for 'Breaking Into Live' event
The Cat's Mother Network teams up with UTA for 'Breaking Into Live' event on Tuesday 2nd September Exclusive evening of insight and connection in partnership with UTA’s La Femme Majeure group to support young female identifying people looking to develop career...more
PRS Members' Fund and Music Support launch Soul Resonance
PRS Members' Fund and Music Support launch Soul Resonance – a unique wellness day designed to support music creatives through rest, reflection, creativity, and connection. PRS Members’ Fund, the charity that provides funding to PRS songwriters and composers during difficult...more
Italian music market: Growth by 10% in the first half of 2025
All the data from the Italian Federation (FIMI), from the strong rooting of Streaming to the confirmation of Vinyl The Italian music market has seen solid growth in the first half of 2025, with a turnover of over €208 million, up 9.7% thanks to...more
Layton Giordani Unveils New York-Based Label: MADMINDS
Launching in tandem with Armada Music, Giordani’s NYC roots heavily influence the new label Amid a landmark year, renowned DJ, producer and New York City-native Layton Giordani today announced the launch of his label MADMINDS, in partnership with Armada Music. The sonic ethos of MADMINDS...more
Beatoven.ai Unveils Maestro, the Largest Fully Licensed Generative AI Model for Music that Pays Artists for Every Output
In contrast to other AI music licensing deals, this model will result in ongoing royalty payments to artists, composers, and rightsholders Beatoven.ai is announcing Maestro, its new generative AI foundation model for music. It’s the first such model to be fully licensed...more
Pure Dance returns to the airwaves after 18 years
Iconic 2000s dance station relaunches on small-scale DAB in Milton Keynes and Loughborough this September Pure Dance, the independent station that became a household name on Sky Digital in the mid-2000s, is returning to the airwaves this September with launches on...more
Closures in Britain's late-night venues reach all-time high with one in four businesses lost since 2020
26.4% drop in late-night venues since March 2020 Nearly 800 late night venues closed in five years Three net closures a week in the last three months The Night Time Industries Association (NTIA) has raised concern about the contraction in Britain’s nightlife scene...more
Latin American creators and industry leaders rally behind JusticIA campaign
Over 30 organisations call on policymakers to uphold, protect and preserve the intellectual property rights of authors, artists, producers and publishers A coalition of 35 creative and cultural organisations across Latin America have today issued a joint statement urging governments, technology...more
TikTok for Artists launches in Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa and Finland
TikTok for Artists is the new all-in-one music insights platform for artists TikTok for Artists has been designed to help artists build their careers and fanbase on TikTok Artists in Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, South Africa and Finland can now access data and...more
Vocana: A home for music's beating indie heart that pays, informs, and connects artists and fans better
Streaming music feels broken. What would make it better? Many music lovers already know the answer: Artists getting paid more. Fans finding more new music. More interaction and sharing. More humans, fewer algos. These responses have shaped Vocana, a new music service...more
Newcastle to come alive for the 2025 Mercury Prize
POWERED BY LOCAL MUSIC AGENCY GENERATOR, THE CITY WILL BE A HUB OF MUSIC AND CULTURE THIS OCTOBER WITH FRINGE PROGRAMME PLUS EXCITING ACTIVITY FROM NEW PARTNERS LNER, ADIDAS, FENWICK AND MORE 2025 HOSTS AND JUDGING PANEL ALSO ANNOUNCED 2025 'ALBUMS OF THE...more
Amuse Unveils Notable Product Updates, Including Auto-Save Links and Trolley-Powered Business Payouts for Professional Plan
Announcing new premium features and partnerships for self-releasing artists and teams, including Trolley business payouts, Easy Song cover licensing and amra publishing royalty management Music industry challenger Amuse today announces a big update to their self-service digital music distribution, introducing a...more
Ticketmaster's 2025 State of Play report reveals a multigenerational shift
73% of parents say music festivals beat traditional family trips - Ticketmaster’s 2025 State of Play report reveals a multigenerational shift - New findings by Ticketmaster outline the shift in festival trends and culture, as it launches its 2025 State of Play Report - Two-thirds...more
Legends of Football Appoints PPL CEO Peter Leathem OBE as New Chair
Legends of Football are delighted to announce that Peter Leathem OBE has agreed to take over as Chair from Geoff Shreeves with immediate effect. As CEO of PPL (Phonographic Performance Limited), Peter is without doubt both one of the most...more
ERA extends membership to wider entertainment industry
ERA adds a host of new benefits to its affiliate membership scheme Digital entertainment and retail association ERA has opened membership to the wider entertainment industry for the first time in response to growing demand for its insight, analysis and event...more
Security Industry Crackdown Begins - Government Clearly Signal an End to Exploitation & Self-Employment Abuse Says Sector Trade Bodies
NO MORE EXCUSES: Security Industry Crackdown Begins - Government Clearly Signal an End to Exploitation & Self-Employment Abuse Says Sector Trade Bodies Issued by the UK Door Security Association (UKDSA), Night Time Industries Association (NTIA), International Professional Security Association (IPSA) &...more
Noctil Launches OrgLink: Hierarchical Account Structuring for Smarter Metadata Governance
Noctil, the leading no-code metadata platform for the music and audiovisual industries, has launched OrgLink: a powerful new feature enabling flexible organizational hierarchies and secure, policy-based data sharing. Designed for complex ecosystems such as record labels, publishers, performance rights organizations, and...more
Virgin Music Group Partners with Independent Label Mom+Pop Music
Acclaimed independent label Mom+Pop Music and Virgin Music Group, the world’s leading partner to independent artists, labels, and entrepreneurs, today announced a global partnership to support the continued growth of Mom+Pop. The label is wholly owned and operated by founder...more
Spotify and amra have entered into a direct multi-territorial, multi-year licensing agreement
Spotify and amra, the world’s first and only global digital licensing collection society, have entered into a direct multi-territorial, multi-year licensing agreement designed to deliver greater flexibility and value to amra’s songwriter and publisher clients. The deal represents a broad...more
Youtube and Bandsintown launch exclusive concert listings partnership to turn viewers into concertgoers
New Bandsintown Integration Brings Live Music Discovery Directly Into YouTube Videos, Shorts, and Artist Channels for Billions of Users Worldwide Partnership Kicks Off with Pop Icon Sabrina Carpenter as the Featured Artist Bandsintown, the leading global live music discovery platform, has become the...more
DJ Awards announce 2025 nominees and brand new categories
Voting for the 2025 edition of the DJ Awards is now open The DJ Awards is the longest-standing celebration of global electronic music culture and it now unveils the 2025 genre-specific, voted for categories and nominees alongside the public voting launch...more
IFPI CEO Victoria Oakley urges action to secure India's music future
IFPI Chief Executive Victoria Oakley told the All About Music conference in Mumbai today that India's music industry has "extraordinary potential" to drive the next wave of global growth but must tackle key challenges to secure its future.In a keynote speech to...more
Inflation Rises to 3.8% in July - NTIA Warns There is No More Fat to Trim - The Sector is Facing Job and Business Losses
Michael Kill, CEO, Night Time Industries Association “Today’s inflation figures, with prices rising to 3.8 per cent in July, underscore the relentless pressure on the UK’s night-time economy. Hospitality and night time economy businesses are facing sharply higher costs for food,...more
Small Pond announce 'Emerging' initiative release
Small Pond is excited to announce that their “Emerging” project is back for 2025. The initiative is giving 20 talented young acts (aged 16-25) in Brighton, Crawley, and surrounding areas, the opportunity to rehearse, record and release their music via...more
THE HEADLINES
The life of a cultural narrative: Where are 2025’s iconic moments? (see Comment)
Anthropic settles authors’ copyright lawsuit after piracy claims (see News)
Mercury Prize details announced (see News)
Robbie Williams faces royalties challenge against 'Angels' (see News)
Drake gets ahold of Kendrick Lamar's UMG contract as ugly 'Not Like Us' battle intensifies (see News)
Spotify has signalled further price rises (see Digital)
The unflattening of streaming (and the case for friction) (see Comment)
Ghost artists and the rise of Perfect Fit Content on streaming (see Comment)
How music-backed securitisation can strike a bum note (see Comment)
Taylor Swift: What we lose in the gamification of music (see Features)
Is Taylor Swift’s Showgirl era set to propel her to even greater heights? (see Features)
Why aren’t all songwriters being paid for their songs in live concerts? (see Comment)