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. Rightsholders Have Inked Nearly 300 Commercial AI Agreements — But Only 16% of Indie BPI Members Have ‘Begun Exploring Licensing Partnerships,’ Report Finds

   Rightsholders from in and beyond the industry have inked a total of nearly 300 commercial AI agreements – though less than one-fifth of indie labels are actively exploring licensing deals. Both stats come from a BPI-commissioned WPI Economics report based on surveys of labels and consumers. Technically published last month, said report was cited by […]

2. ‘Michael’ Emerges as a Global Box Office Beast, With Gross Receipts Rapidly Approaching $1 Billion

   Michael has become a global phenomenon, crossing the $960 million threshold on its way to gross $1 billion worldwide and shattering numerous records. Lionsgate’s Michael Jackson biopic continues to rewrite box office history across the globe at just shy of $960 million, with data from Brazil, Japan, and now Russia suggesting the film is well […]

3. What a Life! Legendary Music Mogul Clive Davis Passes Away at 94

   Clive Davis, the legendary music executive whose golden ears and stunningly sharp instincts shaped the sound of popular music for more than half a century, died on Monday at his home in Manhattan. He was 94. Davis’ family confirmed the very sad news this morning, noting that Davis had recently been hospitalized with age-related respiratory […]

4. Mureka Becomes the First AI-Native Music Platform, Closing the Loop the Industry Split Apart — From Creation to Listening

   Mureka announced the brand and platform evolution into the world’s first AI-native music platform — built on a single conviction: in music, creation and listening matter equally. A song’s life shouldn’t end the moment it’s generated. In Mureka, it is made, discovered, remixed, and grown. The following comes from Mureka, a partner of DMN. For […]

5. 29 Organizations Rally Behind ‘No Consent, No Deal’ AI Approach, Call on Labels and Publishers to End ‘Default Opt-Ins,’ ‘Forced AI Clauses,’ and More

   Looks like the AFM’s lawsuit against Universal Music and Warner Music was just the beginning. Now, 29 organizations are calling on labels and publishers to prioritize “meaningful consent, fair remuneration and full transparency” in their AI licensing agreements. Those organizations, repping artists, songwriters, and music managers alike, today voiced several pressing concerns in an open […]

6. San Antonio Mayor Calls for Cancellation of Kanye West Concert at Taxpayer-Funded Alamodome

   San Antonio’s mayor is urging the cancellation of a planned Kanye West concert at the Alamodome on July 4th, saying the city should not host the antisemitic artist in a city-funded venue. Over the weekend, San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones called for the cancellation of an upcoming Kanye West concert at the Alamodome on […]

7. Tragedy Strikes a Goose Concert as Fan Falls to His Death at Madison Square Garden

   A man fell 150 feet to his death into the section below the balcony at Madison Square Garden during a Goose concert on Saturday night. The man fell 150 feet from the Chase Bridge during a Goose concert shortly before 10 PM and was found “unconscious and unresponsive.” He was identified as 51-year-old Paul Kueker […]

8. MF Doom Estate and Temu Settle Counterfeit Merch Trademark Suit — Ecommerce Platform Seemingly Removes Allegedly Infringing Items

   10 months later, the MF Doom estate is nearing a settlement in its counterfeit merch lawsuit against Temu. Meanwhile, Twenty One Pilots’ decidedly similar case is heading to arbitration. The MF Doom estate fired off its complaint in August 2025, and Twenty One Pilots’ namesake LLC submitted an action of its own the following month. […]

9. Forget About the US—Is Live Nation Taking Over Argentina?

   Amid Live Nation’s acquisition of the Movistar Arena, the live events giant continues to expand its business in Argentina with major partnerships. In less than a month, Live Nation has gone all-in on Argentina, expanding its business extensively with some major acquisitions and partnerships. After acquiring the majority stake in Buenos Aires’ Movistar Arena, the […]

10. Latest Music Industry Hires: Beyerdynamic, Warner Chappell, Africori, Symphonic, Green Tea Distro, Audix, Legends Global, More

    Here’s a recap of recent music industry hires and in-house promotions as of June 19th, 2026. If you have a job shuffle to share, we’re all ears. Send us a note to news@digitalmusicnews.com. If you’d like to post a job on our Job Board, just send us a request to noah@digitalmusicnews.com. And, keep track of all the […]

11. Thunder, Lightning, Downpours, Mud, Blazing Heat… Bonnaroo 2026 Had It All

    Bonnaroo survived 2026 despite numerous weather-related setbacks, rescheduled acts, and cancelled sets. So what’s in store for 2027? Manchester, Tennessee’s Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival made its highly anticipated return in 2026 after adverse weather caused tons of fan frustration in 2025 and organizers promised infrastructure improvements going forward. But this year’s iteration was...

12. Yes, This Is a 2026 Headline: Judge Issues Two-Year Jail Sentence for Burning and Selling CDs

    A UK man has received a 26-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to the unauthorized mixing and selling of CDs in violation of copyright law. If you thought the headline was from 2002, you’d be forgiven. Instead, it’s 2026, and a man in the UK has been sentenced after pleading guilty to the unauthorized mixing […]

13. Universal Music Korea Signs Korean-Australian Alternative Hip-Hop Group 1300

    Universal Music Korea inks Korean-Australian alternative hip-hop group 1300, placing them alongside a roster that includes other acclaimed Korean artists. Universal Music Korean (UMK), a division of Universal Music Group (UMG), has announced the signing of Korean-Australian alternative hip-hop group 1300 (pronounced “one-three hundred”). The signing places 1300 alongside a roster that includes...

14. Indie Promoter Jade Presents Crashes Into Bankruptcy; Alison Krauss Gig Quickly Rescheduled

    Independent promoter Jade Presents has filed for bankruptcy weeks after announcing it was shutting down after more than 30 years in business. Fargo-based indie promoter Jade Presents has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the weeks after announcing it was shutting down after more than 30 years in business. The company filed a voluntary […]

15. Time to Ban ‘Ghost Tickets’ for Good? NIVA and Fan Alliance Call on Congress to Tackle Speculative Passes With $10,000 Fines and More

    Is it time to ban “ghost tickets” once and for all? NIVA and Fan Alliance believe so, and they’re urging federal lawmakers to decommission speculative passes by implementing “universal price gouging limitations,” hefty fines, and more. The National Independent Venue Association (NIVA) and Fan Alliance took aim at ghost tickets – referring to those listed […]