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. Scaling Global Artistry: Inside How Ninja Tune Cut Payout Processing Time By 50%—Thanks to Tipalti

   For more than three decades, Ninja Tune has been an influential force in independent music. Founded in London in the 90s, the label became a home for visionary artists pushing electronic, hip-hop, and experimental genres forward. Today, Ninja Tune’s global roster includes award-winning musicians, producers, and composers. With that growth came one of the music […]

2. And the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2026 Inductees Are…

   The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announces the class of 2026, following an incredible list of 17 nominees, more than ever before. There were a whopping 17 nominees put up for selection for this year’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction, which is more than ever before in the organization’s storied history. But […]

3. PPL Delivers 4.75% Year-on-Year Growth in 2025, With Annual Revenue of £315.3M

   PPL delivers 4.75% year-on-year growth, with annual revenue of £315.3 million, driven by strong international performance. UK music licensing company PPL’s revenue rose to £315.3 million ($425.94 million) in 2025, an increase of £14.3 million (4.75%) year-on-year. PPL’s income includes sound recording public performance and broadcast revenues collected in the UK and globally. Growth was […]

4. Universal Music’s Nearly $600 Million Stock Repurchase Program Hits the Ground Running — Major Buys Back 630,000+ Shares as Board Weighs Pershing Takeover Proposal

   Universal Music Group (UMG) wasn’t kidding about its aggressive stock repurchase plans: Two weeks following the up to €500 million (currently $588 million) program’s announcement, the major has already bought back north of 630,000 shares. Now disclosing its stock buybacks on a weekly basis, Universal Music identified the updated total in a formal release today. […]

5. As Blockbuster Catalog Sales Slow, Dealmaking Volume Holds Steady: MusicBird Scores Agreement With Supertramp’s Dougie Thomson, Seeker Music Invests in Nu Shooz IP

   Billions of dollars’ worth of deals later, are catalog acquisitions hitting the crevices? It looks that way: MusicBird’s invested in the IP of Supertramp bassist Dougie Thomson, while Seeker Music’s purchased Nu Shooz’s song rights. Reps for both buyers reached out with word of the plays, which, as most know, follow more than a few […]

6. Warner Music Group Announces Strategic Investment and Partnership with TuStreams

   Warner Music Group announces a minority investment and expansive partnership with TuStreams, a leading independent force in the Música Mexicana space. Today, Warner Music Group (WMG) announced a partnership with TuStreams, a leading independent force in the rapidly growing Música Mexicana space, including a minority investment in the company. As part of the agreement, WMG […]

7. $17 Lattes and $28 Fries? Welcome to Coachella 2026

   Coachella 2026 means “unhinged” food prices in 2026, with $30 chicken sandwiches, $28 fries, $17 lattes, and $41 for two slices of pizza and a Coke. It’s Coachella’s 25th anniversary, and Weekend One just wrapped up. While this year’s performances include heavy hitters like Sabrina Carpenter and Justin Bieber, as well as a history-making set […]

8. Brazilian Court Rules Against Streaming Fraud Site Boom de Seguidores, Shuts It Down

   A São Paulo court has ordered the shutdown of a website accused of selling fake views and engagement on music streaming platforms. A court in São Paulo, Brazil, has issued a decision against a website that provided services enabling streaming fraud. Boom de Seguidores offered “plays” on Spotify, YouTube Music, SoundCloud, and others, as well […]

9. LAPD Detains Woman Who Allegedly Stalked and Attacked Fleetwood Mac’s Lindsey Buckingham

   The woman who allegedly stalked and attacked former Fleetwood Mac guitarist Lindsey Buckingham has been arrested, according to the LAPD. A woman accused of stalking and assaulting former Fleetwood Mac guitarist Lindsey Buckingham was arrested on Saturday, the Los Angeles Police Department has confirmed. The 55-year-old Michelle Dick was arrested at around 7 PM at […]

10. The Strokes Springboard Coachella Into a Global Tour, with Thundercat, Cage the Elephant Supporting

    The Strokes confirm a global tour this summer and fall, fresh from their Coachella Weekend One performance and with headline sets on the horizon. The Strokes have unveiled global dates across North America, the UK, Europe, and Japan, kicking off in June and running through the fall. The tour will include two nights at Red […]

11. Yout Cites Cox v. Sony Supreme Court Decision in Marathon RIAA Legal Battle — RIAA Says the Argument ‘Is Not Helpful to the Resolution of This Case’

    Do stream-ripping platforms have “substantial” non-infringing uses? Hartford-based Yout believes so, and following the Supreme Court’s Cox v. Sony decision, it’s doubling down on the position in its marathon RIAA legal battle. That position isn’t new for Yout, which has been duking it out with the RIAA for the better part of a decade. As […]

12. Zac Brown Band Debuts ‘Sunday Night Baseball’ Opening

    The Zac Brown Band debuted NBC’s new Sunday Night Baseball opening on Sunday, with the launch of the Atlanta Braves game vs. the Cleveland Guardians. The band’s appearance gives NBC a new weekly baseball identity built around a cover of Emerson, Lake & Palmer’s “Karn Evil 9, 1st Impression Part 2.” The band joins a […]

13. BigHit Moves to Litigate Against a BTS Album Leaker—But Elon Musk’s X Isn’t Cooperating

    BigHit Music files a petition in U.S. court to force Elon Musk’s X to reveal the identity of a user who allegedly leaked BTS’ comeback album, ARIRANG. BTS label BigHit Music, a subsidiary of South Korean entertainment giant HYBE, has filed a petition in U.S. court in order to force Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) […]

14. Coachella Couched In Drama! The Bieber Effect, Cancelled Performances, and Snubbed Influencers Swirl In Weekend One

    Coachella 2026 just ended its first weekend, filled with Justin Bieber playing YouTube videos, Airbnb cancellations, and angry creators saying their invites were rescinded. There was also a lot of great music — let’s get into it. Whether you’re attending Coachella this year, or just catching the livestream on YouTube, there’s a lot to talk […]

15. Live Nation CEO Asks: Is Ticketmaster’s Verified Fan a ‘Pretend Product’?

    Ticketmaster’s Verified Fan may be little more than a sales pitch to give the illusion of protecting against scalpers, CEO Michael Rapino muses in the latest tranche of leaked emails. Surprisingly, the private Slack conversations between two Live Nation employees haven’t been the juiciest reveal to come out of the USA vs. Live Nation trial. […]