UTA Music: Hear This 05 May 2022
NEWS & PRESS
Electric Group announces launch of 'Electric Studios' Sheffield music venue and creative hub
A £2m venue transformation continues, with opening slated for Spring 2026. The music-first venue will host increased capacity and accessibility within its all-new interior. A packed schedule and subsidised creative hub are set to boost the cultural power of Sheffield, enhanced with...more
The annual BPI Classical Committee/PPL Quiz raises £7,000 in aid of Help Musicians and The BRIT Trust
11th edition of the Quiz won by Mark Pemberton & team, ahead of Naxos AudioBooks, and Presto The annual BPI Classical Committee/PPL Charity Quiz has raised around £7,000 – a record total for the event – for its music charity beneficiaries, which this year...more
BBC Radio 6 Music's Albums of the Year 2025
Today, BBC Radio 6 Music, the UK's biggest digital-only radio station with 2.7 million listeners (RAJAR, Q3 2025), revealed its Albums of the Year 2025. The albums will all be celebrated over the coming five weeks, within Albums of the Year...more
Nacho García Vega, President of IAO, shares an open letter
Nacho García Vega, President of IAO, shared an open letter with Commissioner Dombrovskis, European Commissioner for Economy and Productivity, with a final plea to the EC to block the acquisition of Downtown by Universal Music Group14 November 2025 Dear Commissioner Dombrovskis, Thank...more
Emma Banks, Ramones producer Craig Leon and Sziget’s Tamás Kádár speaking at ESNS Conference
Topics include activism on stage, corporatization of the music sector, music export and exchange ESNS (Eurosonic Noorderslag) announces a new wave of conference highlights for its 40th edition, taking place from January 14 to 17, 2026 in Groningen. None other than...more
Amazon Music and TikTok Launch New 'Share to TikTok' Feature
Music fans can now share their favourite tracks and Insights on Amazon Music directly to TikTok Fans can even share exclusive Amazon Music Original tracks to TikTok, including a new track from Amazon Music Breakthrough artist, Carter Faith, and Shaboozey Amazon Music...more
Myndstream enters into first of its kind collaboration to research the clinical potential of music in healthcare
Myndstream, the global leader in science-led wellness music, has agreed to a collaboration with Mayo Clinic to research the clinical applications of music in healthcare. The agreement marks Myndstream's entry into the healthcare sector, building on the company's longstanding work...more
UMG’s mega-acquisition threatens musical diversity – without competition, the free market becomes a monopoly
As featured in Musikindustrin"Eva Karman Reinhold, chairwoman of the Swedish Independent Music Producers (SOM) and board member of IMPALA, writes in a debate post.The music industry is entering a period of accelerating corporate consolidation, and international acquisitions are now reshaping Europe...more
The Cranberries to be honoured with the Icon Award at the Rolling Stone UK Awards
Noel Hogan of The Cranberries with Royel Otis to headline the ZYN Rolling Stone UK Awards, in celebration of The Cranberries receiving The Icon Award, supported by Visit West Hollywood In tribute to the late Dolores O'Riordan, front woman and lead vocalist of The Cranberries, and to celebrate The Cranberries being honoured with the Icon Award, supported by Visit...more
Introducing bulletin board: a new way for TikTok creators to communicate with their fans and build community
Today we're announcing the launch of bulletin board, a new in-app channel which helps creators communicate and share content directly with their fans and followers. Bulletin board is a one-to-many broadcast channel, making it quick and easy for creators to post...more
The MOBO Group and Greene King Partner Together to Open 'House of MOBO' Pub in South London
'The House of MOBO' in Gipsy Hill will be a home for culture, community and collaboration in hospitalityThe pub reopens on Thursday 27 November as a ready to serve the local community The MOBO Group and Greene King have today announced...more
Ezra Collective's Femi Koleoso joins BBC Radio 6 Music
Femi Koleoso, bandleader and drummer for the BRIT Award and Mercury Prize winning jazz quintet Ezra Collective, will join BBC Radio 6 Music as a regular presenter, hosting The People's Party on Fridays (7-9pm) from 2nd January 2026. The show, broadcast from MediaCity UK,...more
80 performing arts organisations commit to PIPA pledge in landmark commitment to parents and carers
ROSALIE CRAIG, RAKIE AYOLA, EMMY THE GREAT, SOPHIA DI MARTINO AND INDUSTRY LEADERS SUPPORT PIPA PLEDGE To mark its 10th anniversary, Parents and Carers in Performing Arts (PiPA) proudly announces the launch of the PiPA Pledge – a new initiative inviting...more
Coldplay, Dua Lipa, Radiohead and Sam Fender lead calls for PM to honour pledge for ticket resale price cap
Some of the biggest names in music have come together with groups representing consumers and the industry to call on Sir Keir Starmer to honour his pledge to protect fans from online ticket touts. For years, genuine fans have been fleeced...more
Texas alt-rock band Culture Wars sign to Primary Talent International
Texas alt-rock band Culture Wars have signed with Matt Bates at Primary Talent International for worldwide booking representation (excluding North America) and have sold out their first London show at the O2 Academy Islington. The Texas native band, known for...more
Vevo Announces Highly Acclaimed "DSCVR Artists to Watch" List for 2026
Annual taste-maker program highlights emerging global artists poised to break through in the year ahead Gigi Perez is named "DSCVR Artist of the Year", releases exclusive performance of "Fable" Vevo, the world's leading music video network, today released the complete list for...more
Charlie Lexton appointed CEO, Merlin
Merlin, the digital rights agency for the world's leading independent labels and distributors, today announced the appointment of Charlie Lexton as its CEO, effective 1 January 2026. Lexton, who succeeds Jeremy Sirota, has worked for Merlin since its inception, initially alongside...more
22 UK festivals awarded free AIF memberships and marketing support through Skiddle partnership
The UK’s independent festival scene has received a major boost as 22 grassroots festivals are announced as recipients of an industry-first support scheme from Skiddle and the Association of Independent Festivals (AIF). The initiative, created to champion and sustain the UK’s thriving...more
Warner Records Group elevates Gregg Nadel to President of A&R
Widely-Respected Executive Joins Central Leadership Team in Newly Created Role Widely respected music executive Gregg Nadel has been elevated to a senior leadership position at Warner Records Group in the newly created central role of President of A&R. Based in Los...more
TuneCore’s independent artists surpass $5 billion earned
The leading independent artist development platform announced that artists who distribute through TuneCore have now earned over $5 billion since the company’s founding nearly 20 years ago—marking a historic milestone and the first public achievement of its kind among distributors...more
BSI Merch Unveils Artist Services Strategy
Company Rebrands as BSI Merch & Artist Services New Division BSI Music Announces Still Pigeon as First Signing UK-based music merchandise and e-commerce specialist BSI Merch has rebranded as BSI Merch & Artist Services, marking an exciting new chapter for the company...more
New Report Reveals UK Music Industry Contributes Record £8 Billion To UK Economy
UK music contribution to the UK economy in 2024 hit a record £8 billion. UK music exports revenue in 2024 reaches new high of £4.8 billion. Total UK music industry employment in 2024 rises to record high of 220,000. UK Music, the collective voice...more
NIC Hike Hammers Jobs: NTIA Slams Government Over Rising Unemployment
Michael Kill, CEO, Night Time Industries Association: “The latest ONS figures are deeply concerning. A rise in unemployment to 5%, the highest in four years, is a stark signal that the Government’s current approach is failing to support job - particularly...more
Public voting for the European Festival Awards 2025 has begun
TICKETS FOR THE EUROPEAN FESTIVAL AWARDS 2025 GO ON SALE ON NOVEMBER 11th The public voting for the 15th edition of the European Festival Awards is open until Thursday, November 20th. During this period, the public can vote for their favourite Festival...more
Jeremy Vuernick named EVP, Atlantic Music Group
London-based Exec to Work Across UK & US Teams to Sign & Develop Transatlantic Talent Accomplished A&R leader Jeremy Vuernick has been named Executive Vice President, Atlantic Music Group (AMG), joining AMG's global leadership team. In this new post, reporting jointly...more
BPI invites tenders for its member training programme
Proposals to be received by 5th December 2025 deadline The BPI, the representative voice for the UK’s world-leading record companies and label businesses, is from today inviting tenders from organisations or individuals who would be interested to meet all or part of its...more
Rough Trade Announce First Global Edition Of Albums Of The Year For 2025
VIAGRA BOYS FIRST SELF-RELEASED ALBUM 'VIAGR ABOYS' TAKES NO.1 SPOT IN THE TOP 30 ALBUMS OF THE YEAR ALSO FEATURINGOKLOU, PULP, TURNSTILE, HAYLEY WILLIAMS, CAMERON WINTER, CMAT, HOTWAX, GEESE, JEHNNY BETH, BON IVER, MATT BERNINGER + MANY MORE LIMITED EDITION VINYL RELEASES EXCLUSIVELY FOR ROUGH...more
Kodak Black Pioneers the Future of Fandom: $YAK Coin x Audius
Rap superstar Kodak Black announced today that he has teamed up with the music discovery platform and marketplace, Audius to launch a next generation fanclub powered by his very own Artist Coin, $YAK. $YAK holders will gain exclusive access to...more
Cris Lacy Named Chair & President of Newly Rebranded Warner Records Nashville
In the latest move in the expansion of the Warner Records Group, Cris Lacy has been named Chair & President of the newly rebranded Warner Records Nashville, formerly known as Warner Music Nashville. In this post, she reports to Warner...more
Sam Fender donates Mercury Prize money to Music Venue Trust
Music Venue Trust (MVT), the charity which represents hundreds of the UK’s grassroots music venues (GMVs), today announces that Sam Fender has donated his £25,000 Mercury Prize winnings to MVT to support its ongoing work protecting and securing the future...more
THE HEADLINES
"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)
Report reveals UK music industry contributes record £8bn to UK economy. (see Reports)
Deezer publishes survey on AI music (see Reports)
Songs are going viral faster than ever — but fewer are becoming streaming hits (see Analysis)
The music we should save is the music AI needs the most (see Comment)
The Council Of Music Makers: Put music-makers first in AI deals (see News)
The future of music marketing is no marketing at all (see Features)
AIM states that the independents’ voice is now louder, clearer and impossible to ignore (see News)
Secondary price caps and figuring out fact vs. fiction (see Comment)
Spotify responds to RBX lawsuit over ‘fake’ Drake streams (see Digital)