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. Canadian Government Walks Back Controversial ‘Streaming Tax’ Plans: ‘Now Is Not the Time to Make Culture and Entertainment More Expensive’

   Following ample criticism from on-demand music and video platforms, the Canadian government has walked back its controversial “streaming tax.” Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture Marc Miller just recently announced the regulatory pivot as well as a fresh funding package for the sectors. To bring the uninitiated up to speed, the short-ish version is that […]

2. Concord Expands Into Latin Hip-Hop, Reggaeton, and Urban with Lito Music Pair-Up

   Concord announces a partnership with Lito Music, marking a strategic step in the company’s expansion into the global Latin music market. Leading independent music company Concord has announced a partnership with Lito MC Cassidy’s Lito Music, marking a strategic step in the company’s continued expansion into the global Latin music market. It also signals a […]

3. Björn Ulvaeus Opens CISAC Centenary, Reveals New AI Statement

   ABBA co-founder and CISAC president Björn Ulvaeus opened CISAC’s event in Paris celebrating its 100th anniversary, providing a statement on AI. CISAC, the global network representing over 5 million creators of music, audio-visual, drama, literature, and visual arts, celebrated its 100th anniversary this week in Paris. ABBA co-founder and CISAC president Björn Ulvaeus opened the […]

4. That ‘Telekinesis’ Infringement Suit Against SZA, Travis Scott, and Future? Well, It’s Over

   The copyright infringement lawsuit filed against Travis Scott, SZA, and Future over their 2023 track “Telekinesis” has been voluntarily dismissed. Victory Boyd, the Roc Nation-signed artist who sued Travis Scott, SZA, and Future for alleged copyright infringement over their 2023 track “Telekinesis,” has voluntarily dismissed her lawsuit. The joint stipulation filed by both sides on […]

5. Ticketmaster Meltdown In Paris as ‘Suspicious Activity’ Shuts Down Celine Dion Sales Window

   Ticketmaster hits pause on the sale of Celine Dion tickets after identifying “suspicious activity” that prevented real fans from securing their seats. Celine Dion’s comeback shows have fans chomping at the bit to get tickets, with the Canadian superstar slated to perform 26 shows at the La Defense Arena in Paris this fall and next […]

6. Dance Music Extraordinaire (and Lollapalooza Headliner) John Summit Slates European Tour Dates

   John Summit expands his extensive touring schedule with four European headline dates this month, after kicking off his debut residency at [UNVRS]. On Thursday, dance music powerhouse John Summit expanded his busy touring schedule with four European headline dates this month in Paris, Amsterdam, Stockholm, and Hamburg. These shows add to his slate of European […]

7. Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square Officially Sells Its ‘Entire’ Universal Music Position — UMG Buys Back 14.2 Million Shares

   That didn’t take long: Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square has officially offloaded its Universal Music Group (UMG) stock, and the major label itself has purchased about 14.2 million of the shares. Universal Music disclosed the buyback this morning, moments after Pershing unveiled plans to divest its remaining UMG position following a failed takeover attempt. Although the […]

8. Peabo Bryson, Best Known for Disney Duets in ‘Aladdin’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ Passes Away Aged 75

   Two-time Grammy Award-winning singer Peabo Bryson, known for his Disney duets in “Aladdin” and “Beauty and the Beast” in the ‘90s, has passed away. Peabo Bryson, the R&B singer best known as the voice behind the Oscar-winning Disney film duets from “Beauty and the Beast” (with Celine Dion) and “Aladdin” (with Regina Belle), has passed […]

9. Is Garth Brooks Next? Artist Extending the Feelers On a Multi-Billion Dollar Catalog Sale, WSJ Reports

   Garth Brooks is reportedly exploring his options for the sale of his extensive music catalog in a deal that could be worth a whopping $2 billion. On Tuesday, The Wall Street Journal reported that country music star Garth Brooks is looking into selling his vast music catalog, with valuations ranging from $1 billion to over […]

10. Wigmore Hall Partners With Apple Music Classical — With 100% of Royalties Going to the Performing Artists

    A new partnership with Apple Music Classical will see all new Wigmore Hall Live releases premiere exclusively on the platform for three months. West London’s Wigmore Hall has announced a new partnership with Apple Music Classical, which will see all new Wigmore Hall Live releases premiere exclusively on the platform for three months. Wigmore Hall […]

11. Dutch Judge Clears Kanye West Performances In the Netherlands After Emergency Lawsuit

    An Amsterdam judge has allowed two upcoming shows by Kanye West to move forward in the Netherlands despite an emergency lawsuit from the Central Jewish Council. The Central Jewish Counsil filed an emergency lawsuit in a bid to prevent Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, from performing two upcoming shows in the Netherlands. […]

12. Armed With a Meaty $267 Million ABS Tranche, Seeker Music Acquires a Piece of the Cocteau Twins’ Catalog

    After securing a $267 million ABS tranche, Seeker Music has acquired Cocteau Twins’ Simon Raymonde’s publishing catalog, including his full body of work with the band. Songwriter Evan Bogart’s Seeker Music has acquired the music publishing catalog of acclaimed songwriter, producer, bassist, and keyboardist Simon Raymonde. The deal includes his full body of work as […]

13. All of Nothing at All: Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square Moves to Dump Universal Music Shares Following Failed Takeover Bid

    On the heels of its failed Universal Music Group (UMG) takeover attempt, Bill Ackman’s Pershing Square is reportedly preparing to sell off its remaining interest in the major label. That’s according to an early release from Bank of America, which pointed to Pershing’s imminent divestment of approximately 80.6 million shares. Via various Pershing funds, Ackman […]

14. AXS Strikes a Bevy of Independent Venue Deals, Including the Troubadour, First Avenue, and the Marathon Live Portfolio

    AXS strengthens its position in the independent venue space with new and renewed partnerships spanning some of the most iconic clubs in the nation. Today, AXS bolstered its place in the independent venue market with a fresh round of partnerships spanning iconic clubs across the United States. The ticketing and live event company announced new […]

15. So Who’s Gonna Make It Big in 2026? YouTube Music Unveils Its Top Picks

    YouTube Music unveils its 2026 picks for its Foundry program, which has worked with over 250 artists since 2015 to help them build sustainable careers. What platform has the greatest ability to break new artists? TikTok, Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and more have all been instrumental in helping budding artists make a big splash into […]