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. Supreme Court Wipes Away $47 Million Grande Communications Copyright Verdict, Remands to Appellate Court ‘For Further Consideration’ Following Cox v. Sony Decision

   The Cox v. Sony Music decision’s aftershocks aren’t finished yet: Now, the Supreme Court has wiped away a verdict that originally included a $47 million willful copyright infringement penalty against Grande Communications. The nation’s highest court vacated the piracy liability judgment in an April 6th Order List. As some will recall, November 2022 had seen […]

2. How Much Is That Major Label Conglomerate In the Window? Bill Ackman-led Pershing Square Dangles $64 Billion Takeover Bid for Universal Music Group

   Sorry, how much? Billionaire hedge-funder Bill Ackman and his Pershing Square have now proposed a $64 billion+ deal to acquire Universal Music Group (UMG), a takeover that would include a shift to the New York Stock Exchange. The offer, which values the world’s largest music label at €30.4 ($35.06) per share, represents a substantial 78% […]

3. Will Pershing’s $64 Billion UMG Deal Actually Happen? Ackman Plans to Pay Artists $868 Million from UMG’s Spotify Stake, While Reworking Lucian Grainge’s ‘Complicated’ Contract

   Pershing Square’s proposed $64 billion Universal Music Group (UMG) takeover deal is officially out in the open – but will the gigantic transaction wrap? The multibillion-dollar question is now taking center stage and prompting discussions about what the “New UMG” would look like. We broke down that floated $64 billion deal in detail this morning. […]

4. YouTube Pulls Out All the Stops for Coachella 2026 — Seven-Stage Livestreaming, ‘Coachella TV,’ Exclusive Merch, and More

   YouTube is pulling out all the stops for its Coachella 2026 experience, including with seven simultaneous livestream feeds, exclusive merch, and more. The video-sharing giant just recently confirmed its bolstered Coachella hub, which is poised to receive a full-scale launch in tandem with the festival kickoff this Friday. Following well-documented attendance woes, the 2026 installment’s...

5. British Government Refuses to Allow Kanye West Into the Country; Wireless Festival Officially Cancelled

   Wireless Festival has been cancelled after the UK government denied entry to headliner Ye, amid outrage over his rampant antisemitism in recent years. Wireless Festival will not be taking place this summer after headliner Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, was barred from entering the UK. The government denied the artist entry amid widespread outrage […]

6. The Kanye Blowback Intensifies — Are Gamma Investors A24, Apple, Eldridge, and Alpha Wave Next to Feel the Heat?

   In the wake of an abrupt Wireless Festival shutdown, more industry voices are questioning whether re-platforming Kanye West was really the right move. But will this ultimately impact the music industry’s most sophisticated backers? The high-stakes gamble on Kanye West’s redemption is hitting a brutal reality check. Now, the once-promising comeback play could be quickly […]

7. Life Is Good for Laufey: Icelandic Jazz Phenom Renews Global Publishing Deal With Warner Chappell Music

   Laufey renews her global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music ahead of the deluxe edition of her 2025 album, out April 10. Warner Chappell Music (WCM) has renewed its global publishing deal with composer, singer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Laufey. The two-time Grammy winner is the youngest recipient of the Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album, and […]

8. ‘The Team’ Formerly Known As Wasserman Announces a New Co-President Ahead of Expected Sale

   Recently rebranded The Team announces the promotion of Kevin Shivers to co-president of the agency’s music group ahead of an anticipated sale. Today, The Team formerly known as Wasserman announced the promotion of Kevin Shivers to co-president of the agency’s music group. He will work closely with Lee Anderson, the agency’s former president and current […]

9. The Start of Another Record Year? Core Music Industry Funding Approached $5 Billion During Q1 2026, DMN Pro Data Shows

   If Q1 2025’s nearly $2 billion in music industry funding seemed like a lot, you’ll want to take a seat for this one. Thanks in large part to another huge contribution from catalog, core music funding approached a staggering $5 billion during 2026’s opening quarter. As usual, that figure and other valuable takeaways come from […]

10. Music Industry Lobbying Shifts Towards Site-Blocking Legislation Following Cox Supreme Court Ruling — And Other Rumblings from Capitol Hill

    After the Supreme Court’s decision to reverse the liability verdict against Cox Communications, new site-blocking proposals emerge in Congress. But can this lobbying shift make up for a disastrous Supreme Court gavel drop in Cox v. Sony Music? The Supreme Court recently ruled to reverse the piracy liability verdict against Cox Communications, a significant win […]

11. Ugly Epidemic Sound v. Meta Copyright Battle Rages on — Dueling Summary Judgment Pushes Take Center Stage as Meta Moves to Invoke ‘Cox v. Sony’

    Nearly four years later, the ugly Epidemic Sound v. Meta copyright infringement lawsuit still hasn’t resolved. Now, both sides are pushing for summary judgment, and the Facebook parent is looking to explore the impact of the Supreme Court’s Cox v. Sony decision. We briefly touched on the marathon legal battle’s status last week, when exploring […]

12. After Booking the Sphere, Metallica Adds — Mohegan Sun?

    Metallica will play two concerts at Mohegan Sun Arena to celebrate the venue’s 25th anniversary, following the band’s Sphere residency. Metallica has added two concerts at Mohegan Sun Arena to the band’s upcoming tour dates, following their sold-out residency at Sphere in Las Vegas. The shows, scheduled for November 19 and 21, will serve as […]

13. Me Gusta Fest Rebranded to Sublime Fest After Cypress Hill Drops Out

    Music festival Me Gusta is now called Sublime Fest, after hip-hop stars Cypress Hill dropped out, with rumors citing political differences. Me Gusta Fest has been rebranded to Sublime Fest after hip-hop headliners Cypress Hill backed out, according to festival producers Brew Ha Ha Productions. The festival will still take place on the same dates […]

14. Lil Nas X Says He Checked Himself Into a Mental Health Facility After His Arrest on Felony Assault Charges

    Lil Nas X hopes to have his felony assault charges dismissed after a judge granted him entry into a mental health diversion program. On Monday, rapper Lil Nas X, whose legal name is Montero Hill, appeared in Los Angeles court. There, Judge Alan Schneider ruled that the musician’s felony assault charges would be cleared as […]

15. Howard Stern Sued by Former Staffer for Creating ‘Hostile Work Environment’

    Former Howard Stern executive assistant Leslie Kuhn is suing the radio host and his wife over allegations of a hostile work environment. Howard Stern and his wife Beth are being sued by their former executive assistant for an alleged hostile work environment and “immense pressure” caused by Beth’s large-scale at-home animal rescue organization and disorganized […]