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. European Commission Reportedly Preps ‘Formal Warning’ About Universal Music’s Downtown Acquisition — Final Decision Still Set for February

   The European Commission is reportedly preparing to hand down a “formal warning” about Universal Music’s proposed $775 million Downtown buyout – albeit without blocking the deal outright. That reportedly imminent development surfaced in a recent Bloomberg piece. Additionally, IMPALA, which has from the get-go opposed the play on competition and market-concentration grounds, reached out with...

2. DMN & Tipalti’s Music Monetization 2.0 Webinar Is A Wrap! — Post-Streaming Revenues, Global Royalty Capture, and Content Ownership Take Center Stage

   As streaming matures, the music business is heading into new territory. A new webinar from Digital Music News and Tipalti features a frank conversation on the current state of the music and entertainment world, a discussion about new models that are reshaping music monetization, and solving rights management at scale. The conversation also dips into […]

3. StubHub Lashes Out at UK Government’s Plan to Ban Scalping, Promises ‘Transactions Will Move to Black Markets’

   As the UK government prepares to introduce a price cap on the resale of tickets to live events, ticket resale platforms are speaking out. The UK government plans to ban the resale of live event tickets at inflated prices in a bid to tackle the onslaught of ticket touts snapping up tickets for popular events […]

4. NPR Secures $36 Million In Critical Federal Funding In Court Settlement Against Trump

   NPR will receive approximately $36 million in grant money to keep its interconnection system operational amid the fallout from Trump’s executive order. National Public Radio (NPR) has reached a resolution with the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) concerning the disbursement of federal funds for its interconnection services. NPR will receive approximately $36 million in grant […]

5. Roblox Facial Safety Checks Aim to Prevent Kids Talking Outside of Their Age Groups

   Online game platform Roblox will start blocking children from talking to adult strangers starting next month using facial age estimation. As online games platform Roblox faces fresh lawsuits alleging the system’s design has made children “easy prey” for predators, Roblox will start blocking children from talking to adults and older teen strangers starting next month. […]

6. Singer D4vd Now Considered a Suspect In Investigation of Teen Girl Found Dead In His Car

   Singer D4vd is now considered a suspect in the ongoing investigation of the teenage girl found dead in the trunk of his Tesla. David Anthony Burke, better known as singer d4vd, is now considered a suspect in the investigation of the death of Celeste Rivas Hernandez. Hernandez is the teenage girl whose body was found […]

7. FKA Twigs Inks with UTA for Worldwide Representation Across All Areas

   Singer-songwriter and multi-hyphenate FKA twigs has signed with United Talent Agency (UTA) for worldwide representation in all areas. Singer-songwriter FKA twigs has signed with United Talent Agency (UTA) for worldwide representation in all areas. The multi-hyphenate actress and model earned a Grammy nomination for Best Dance/Electronic Album this year for EUSEXUA, and followed that up […]

8. Slipknot Reportedly Sells Majority Catalog Stake to HarbourView Equity Partners

   Looks like August’s rumblings of a Slipknot catalog deal were accurate after all: HarbourView Equity Partners has reportedly acquired a majority stake in the metal act’s song rights. The Des Moines-based band and the Newark-headquartered IP investor confirmed their long-rumored agreement – but not the ownership or financial specifics thereof – today. According to the […]

9. Primary Wave Unveils Partnership With Dave Brubeck’s Family — Deal Covers the Jazz Legend’s Recorded, Publishing, and NIL Rights

   Primary Wave has finalized a partnership, covering recording, publishing, and NIL rights alike, with the family of jazz mainstay Dave Brubeck. New York City-based Primary Wave reached out with word of the agreement (inked specifically with Derry Music Company) today. According to the publisher, which opted against publicly disclosing hard ownership or price-tag details, the […]

10. Mötley Crüe Announces Major US Tour In 2026 — While Celebrating Their 45th Anniversary as a Band

    Mötley Crüe announce The Return of the Carnival of Sins, a 2026 North American tour celebrating the band’s 45th anniversary. Mötley Crüe has announced a major 2026 North American tour celebrating two milestones: the 20th anniversary of their Carnival of Sins Tour, and the 45th anniversary of the band. The run will bring Mötley Crüe’s […]

11. Circuit Group and Create Music Launch $500 Million Fund, Eye Deals for Electronic Catalogs, Labels, Publishers, and More

    The Circuit Group and Create Music Group have launched a $500 million fund, Circuit Capital, that will pursue investments in catalogs, labels, publishers, and different “music-driven ventures” yet. The self-described “artist management collective” Circuit Group reached out with details about the debuting division today. Though specifics concerning the fund’s strategy and IP ownership remain to...

12. Drake’s UMG Appeal Set to Begin with Court-Ordered Mediation Session—Though a Settlement Seems Unlikely

    Drake’s appeal in his case against UMG is rolling forward, beginning with a court-ordered mediation scheduled for next month. After Drake’s defamation lawsuit against Universal Music Group was dismissed early last month, the rapper wasted no time in filing for an appeal. Now, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit has scheduled a […]

13. ‘Is This What We Want?’ Silent Album Adds Paul McCartney Bonus Track Ahead of Vinyl Release — UK Gov’t Must ‘Resist Calls to Legalise Music Theft,’ Organizer Says

    UK politicians are “sucking up to tech bros” by advocating for inadequate AI training protections – at least according to the team behind silent album Is This What We Want?, which is releasing on vinyl with a bonus track from Paul McCartney. We covered the Ed Newton-Rex-spearheaded album’s streaming debut closer to the top of […]

14. Lynyrd Skynyrd and Foreigner Announce Double Trouble Double Vision Tour

    Lynyrd Skynyrd and Foreigner are going on tour together, announcing 19 co-headlining appearances across North America next summer. Lynyrd Skynyrd and Foreigner are teaming up for a co-headlining tour across North America next summer. Produced by Live Nation, the Double Trouble Double Vision Tour kicks off on July 23 in Atlanta, Georgia, with a final […]

15. Speculation Mounts Over StubHub’s Slumping Stock Amid Regulatory Action In the UK

    StubHub appears to be navigating choppy waters after withholding guidance from the upcoming quarter—likely because the UK is set to severely cap secondary ticket sales through face value legislation. Facing these external pressures, investors may have concern about the resilience of the secondary ticket reseller despite its recent IPO. StubHub shares fell over 21% on […]