Digital Music News – studio recording, publishing, streaming, live concerts, talent development

The latest music news from Digital Music News, affecting recording industry, music publishing, mp3 streaming, concert industry, talent development, venture capital, and music technology, with reporting on artists new releases and where to get new mp3 songs.

1. Taco Bell Inks Myke Towers for Its Latest Ad Campaign

   Taco Bell teams up with Latin star Myke Towers for its latest ad spot in the U.S. and Puerto Rico, featuring the Chicken Bacon Ranch Street Chalupas. Last month, Taco Bell announced a new partnership with Latin musician Myke Towers for the United States, Latin America/Caribbean (LA&C) region, as well as Spain. As part of […]

2. Ramsey Elkholy’s Monotronic Sues Pangea Entertainment Over Lack of Promotion in Alleged Breach of Contract

   Indie band Monotronic is suing Pangea Entertainment for alleged breach of contract that resulted in a lack of distribution for the band’s music. Los Angeles-based musician Ramsey Elkholy’s band Monotronic has filed a lawsuit against A&R Worldwide’s Pangea Entertainment Group, alleging breach of contract that led to the band’s work not being adequately marketed or […]

3. Steve Perry Rejoining Journey?—Band Says Maybe, But Perry Says Stop Believing

   Journey floats the idea that Steve Perry might join them on their farewell tour, but Perry quickly shuts that thought down with a social media post. Journey fans have been waiting faithfully to find out if former frontman Steve Perry would really be joining the band with open arms on their farewell tour. But Perry […]

4. Imagine Dragons Officially Exit Wasserman as the Artist Mass-Exodus Intensifies

   Imagine Dragons is now the latest act to leave Wasserman — though efforts to sell the agency are also ramping up. According to details emerging this morning, the Wasserman has now tapped a leading investment bank to oversee its impending sale. Wasserman is feeling the thunder. As of this morning, Imagine Dragons has left the […]

5. 14 Months Later, UMG’s Virgin Officially Wraps Its Downtown Buyout — Pieter van Rijn Shifts to COO, Justin Kalifowitz Steps Away

   14 months after announcing its Downtown Music Group acquisition – and about one week after gaining EU regulatory approval – UMG’s Virgin Music Group has officially wrapped the $775 million buyout. Universal Music today confirmed the deal’s long-awaited close alongside a few executive shifts. First, Downtown head Pieter van Rijn has become Virgin Music’s COO […]

6. Live Nation Attorney Says the DOJ’s Case Against Them Is Now Weak Sauce—’It’s Time to Move On’

   As the DOJ’s case against Live Nation gets ready to move forward, a top attorney at the concert giant calls the government’s case weak and unsubstantial. Live Nation’s bid to convince a federal judge to toss the U.S. government’s antitrust lawsuit against the company didn’t quite pan out. But the judge did toss out some […]

7. Los Angeles County Files a Major Lawsuit Against Roblox—’Breeding Ground for Predators’

   Los Angeles County officials are suing Roblox with allegations that the company failed to meaningfully protect children from predators on the platform. Roblox is facing another lawsuit, this time from Los Angeles County. On Thursday, Los Angeles County officials announced filing a lawsuit against the gaming platform, alleging the company provides “an unsafe online environment […]

8. Viggo Mortensen, Edward Norton… and Bad Bunny? Get Ready for ‘Porto Rico’

   Bad Bunny is set to star in an ‘epic Caribbean western’ directed by rapper René “Residente” Pérez Joglar as a love letter to Puerto Rico. The film, ‘Porto Rico’ will also star Viggo Mortensen, Edward Norton, and Javier Bardem. The development of Porto Rico was first announced back in 2023, with Residente and screenwriter Alexander […]

9. U.S. Senators Are Officially Throwing Their Weight Around In the FTC v. Live Nation Lawsuit — With the BOTS Act Taking Center Stage

   U.S. Senators from both sides of the aisle are officially throwing their weight around in the FTC’s high-stakes BOTS Act lawsuit against Live Nation — a suit that’s now gaining greater steam alongside the DOJ’s concurrent litigation. Those federal lawmakers – Senators Blackburn (R-TN), Blumenthal (D-CT), Cornyn (R-TX), Hawley (R-MO), Kennedy (R-LA), Luján (D-NM), and […]

10. Apple Music Connect Relaunches as a B2B Promotional Tool — Streamlined Editorial Pitching, ‘Social Share Cards,’ and More

    (Re)introducing Apple Music Connect, which has returned as a B2B promotional hub with support for editorial pitches and more. Apple Music just recently shed light on its retooled Connect offering, the initial iteration of which set sail alongside the DSP itself in 2015. “Through Connect,” Apple Music summed up 11 years ago, “artists can share […]

11. French Indie Label Spookland Gets Snapped Up by Sony Music

    Sony Music Group acquires independent recording and publishing label Spookland, a French label founded in 2012 by songwriter-producer Yodelice. On Thursday, February 19, Sony Music Group France announced the acquisition of Spookland, an independent recording and publishing label founded by Maxim Nucci (better known as Yodelice), whose catalog includes all albums by renowned French artist […]

12. Artists Continue to Crash the Exit Doors at Wasserman: Laufey, ODESZA, Subtronics Part of the Latest Exodus

    Laufey is the latest artist to call it quits with Wasserman, as the agency’s namesake faces more calls to resign from his Olympic committee position. Casey Wasserman announced late last week that he would exit the talent agency that bears his name. But that hasn’t stopped artists from continuing to flood the exit over revelations […]

13. Live Nation’s Post-Pandemic Unicorn Years Are Over—But Its Latest Financials Look Very Strong

    While Live Nation’s post-pandemic boom is clearly behind it, the company still posts strong financials this quarter with bullish estimates for 2026. Live Nation posted strong annual revenues of $25.2 billion for 2025, up 9% year-over-year by $2.05 billion—and that’s in spite of a looming federal antitrust trial. Though Live Nation’s post-pandemic unicorn years are […]

14. AWAL Inks Partnership Agreement With Milan’s Artist First: ‘We Will Be a Powerful Force for the Italian Music Industry’

    Sony Music’s AWAL and Italy-based Artist First have inked a partnership pact covering distribution, promotion, and more. AWAL and Milan-headquartered Artist First – not to be confused with the Australian online-merch specialist of the same name – unveiled their strategic tie-up today. Founded in 2009, Artist First operates a namesake label while simultaneously dealing in […]

15. In Focus Episode 6: Why the New Classical Audience Is ‘Comparable to an Engaged Pop Music Audience’

    FUGA’s Senior Marketing Strategy Manager for Classical & Jazz, Amy Nelson, in conversation with Naxos Music Group’s Sales & Label Marketing Manager, Sascha Braunreuther, exploring how classical artists are adapting to evolving audiences. They also dive into how the wider music industry can help bridge the gap between classical music’s traditional perception, and the modern […]