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. X Games Announces Kaskade, Mustard & Subtronics as Sacramento 2026 Headliners

   MoonPay X Games League announces headliners Kaskade, Mustard, and Subtronics for its summer debut in Sacramento from June 26-28. Today, X Games has announced electronic music icon Kaskade, producer and artist Mustard, and electronic producer and DJ Subtronics as the official music headliners for MoonPay X Games Sacramento 2025. Kaskade will take the stage Friday […]

2. Looks Like UK’s Ticket-Scalping Ban Is Getting Shelved for at Least a Year

   The UK’s ticket scalping ban is set to be delayed by at least a year, with only draft legislation likely to be included in next month’s King’s Speech. A new report from Financial Times revealed that the UK’s ticket tout ban is due to be shelved for a year, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirming […]

3. Live Nation, Ticketmaster, and Amex Anchor Olivia Rodrigo’s 60+ Date Global Tour

   Olivia Rodrigo announces “The Unraveled Tour” in support of her third studio album, spanning 60-plus dates across North America, Europe, and the UK. On Thursday, Olivia Rodrigo announced “The Unraveled Tour” in support of her third studio album, you seem pretty sad for a girl so in love, which debuts on June 12 via Geffen […]

4. Will the Real Artist Please Stand Up? Spotify’s New Verification Checkmark Is Bad News for AI and Background Content Farms

   Spotify introduces verified artist badges to help listeners more easily distinguish real human artists from AI. Artists must meet certain criteria to receive the badge. Spotify has announced a major move toward combating AI-generated music with a Verified by Spotify badge. This checkmark identification comes with some other perks that are currently still in beta, […]

5. Primary Wave-Partnered Times Music Acquires Catrack Entertainment — ‘A Cultural Treasure That Defined An Era for Punjabi Music Lovers’

   Primary Wave and Times Music have once again expanded their reach in India’s quick-growing music market, this time by acquiring “pioneering Punjabi label” Catrack Entertainment (originally Catrack Cassettes Industries). Having initially partnered three years back, Primary Wave and Times Music (a subsidiary, though part-owned by Primary Wave, of Indian media conglomerate The Times Group) unveiled...

6. New Lawsuit Claims Drake and Streamer Adin Ross Misled Fans In Gambling Promos

   Drake, Adin Ross, DJ Akademiks, and gambling website Stake.us have been named in a series of illegal gambling and racketeering lawsuits. Drake, streamer Adin Ross, and DJ Akademiks have been named alongside gambling website Stake.us in an illegal gambling and racketeering lawsuit filed in New Jersey on April 22. The suit echoes similar filings involving […]

7. D4vd Stabbed 14-Year-Old Celeste Rivas Hernandez to Death to Silence Her, Prosecutors Say

   Prosecutors say singer D4vd stabbed 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez multiple times and dismembered her to keep her quiet about their relationship. On Wednesday, prosecutors claimed that singer D4vd, real name David Burke, killed 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez by stabbing her multiple times in order to keep her quiet about their relationship. He allegedly began sexually […]

8. Christian Rock Band Newsboys and Founder Wes Campbell Sue Fellow Group MercyMe, Christian Tour Promoters, Journalists, More

   Christian rockers the Newsboys and founder Wes Campbell file a defamation suit against dozens of defendants, including tour promoters and journalists. Christian rock band the Newsboys and their co-founder, Christian music executive Wes Campbell, have filed a wide-ranging federal lawsuit against dozens of defendants. Their suit alleges an orchestrated campaign to defame the band and […]

9. PRS for Music Paid Out Over £100 Million From Live Music Revenue in 2025, a First in 110 Years

   PRS for Music releases its 2025 financials, revealing that revenue collected from live music generated over £100 million in 2025, a first in 110 years. Royalties are flowing to more creators across an expanding repertoire of works, according to PRS for Music’s 2025 financials. Last year, PRS for Music paid out against 7.8 million unique […]

10. The Pershing Effect? Universal Music Posts Mixed Q1 2026 Financials, Doubles Share-Buyback Program’s Size, and Confirms Spotify Stock Sale Plans

    Universal Music Group (UMG) has reported mixed financials for Q1 2026, including flat overall revenue and modest across-the-board streaming growth. Meanwhile, with a Pershing Square takeover attempt looming large, the major has confirmed plans to sell Spotify stock and supersize its share-buyback program. UMG unveiled its Q1 2026 results – providing a noticeably more detailed […]

11. Hybe Posts Double-Digit Q1 2026 Revenue Growth Amid BTS Comeback — Operating Profit Slips Following Once-Off Employee Stock Award

    Thanks largely to BTS’ comeback, Hybe turned in a nearly 40% year-over-year revenue increase during Q1 2026. However, the K-pop mainstay also reported a sizable operating loss for the period, when concerts revenue slipped by about 43% YoY. According to its newly released earnings breakdown, Hybe (KRX: 352820) generated a cool ₩698.35 billion (currently $469 […]

12. Jon Secada, Karolína Kurková, More Bedazzle at YMU’s $1.8 Million Fundraiser In Miami

    Young Musicians Unite’s 13th annual fundraising gala featured performances from over 150 students across multiple genres, raising over $1.8 million. Young Musicians Unite (YMU) held its 13th Annual “Havana Nights” Gala, one of Miami’s most impactful fundraising events this season. With a sold-out room of over 900 guests and performances from over 150 students, the […]

13. Study Reveals Why Some Scandals Kill Streams, While Others Increase Them

    A new study delves into why fans separate the art from the artist in some instances but not others in the era of widespread social media engagement. A new Cornell study on so-called “cancel culture” has found that music streaming platforms like Spotify hold tremendous swaying power over whether fans listen to a given artist, […]

14. Guilty Plea Emerges In Heinous Taylor Swift Vienna Concert Attack Plot

    A man accused of plotting an attack on a Taylor Swift concert in Vienna has pleaded guilty, nearly two years after authorities intercepted the plot. A man known as Beran A. has pleaded guilty to planning an attack on Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour concert in Vienna, which led to the cancellation of three Swift shows […]

15. Primary Wave Officially Closes $2.2 Billion Fourth Fund, Says It’s ‘The Largest Dedicated Closed-End Music Royalties Fund Raised to Date in the Industry’

    Primary Wave’s dealmaking streak definitely isn’t finished: Following several high-profile 2026 plays – chief among them the acquisition of Kobalt – the publisher has announced the “final closing” of its over $2.2 billion fourth fund. Brookfield Asset Management-partnered Primary Wave confirmed the sizable tranche, specifically consisting of $2.225 billion in commitments, today. That sum,...