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. George Clinton Sues UMG for Allegedly ‘Withholding Royalties in Excess of $1.1 Million’ Under 1980 Agreement

   Parliament and Funkadelic frontman George Clinton has fired off a lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) for allegedly withholding $1.1 million in royalties “without contractual justification” across a multi-year stretch. Clinton just recently submitted the breach of contract action to a Michigan federal court, naming UMG as the lone defendant. While the 20-page complaint isn’t...

2. Disney+ Joins Hulu to Livestream Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits Music Festivals Globally

   Disney+ and Hulu announced that Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, and Austin City Limits Music Festivals will livestream across both platforms for the first time. On Monday, Disney+ and Hulu announced that Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, Lollapalooza, and Austin City Limits Festival will stream live across both platforms for the first time. Now in Hulu’s sixth year […]

3. ‘Michael’ is Big in Korea, Adding to Global Box Office Haul

   The Michael Jackson biopic has moonwalked to #1 at the South Korean box office over the weekend, with over 51% of the weekend market share. Michael easily claimed the top spot at the South Korean box office over the weekend, earning $3.6 million from 470,375 admissions, earning 51.03% of the weekend market share. The film […]

4. Spotify Rolls Out Global Price Adjustments — Double-Digit Increases Hit Canada as Monthly Charges Decrease in India, Indonesia, and More

   Spotify has once again adjusted its prices in several international markets, among them Canada (where subscribers are paying a bit more across the board) and India (where monthly charges have decreased). Spotify just recently informed the relevant subscribers of the recalibrations via email; local outlets then covered the changes, which the platform has yet to […]

5. Shakira Acquitted in $64M Spanish Tax Fraud Case

   A Spanish court acquitted Shakira in a tax fraud case dating back to 2011, ordering the government to return over $64 million in wrongly imposed fines. On Monday, court documents revealed that a Spanish court acquitted Shakira in a tax fraud case that stems back to the 2011 tax year. As a result, the government […]

6. Ella Langley: Country Music’s Fastest-Rising Star

   From under 1 million Spotify listeners to nearly 30 million in three years, Ella Langley now sits ahead of Zach Bryan, Luke Combs, and Chris Stapleton, becoming country music’s hottest act. This article was written by Danny Katz in collaboration with How Music Charts. Music Trends on Digital Music News is powered by Chartmetric. Unless […]

7. James Dolan’s Sphere Secures a $1.7 Billion Investment for Abu Dhabi Expansion

   Abu Dhabi’s Department of Culture and Tourism will invest $1.7 billion in the construction phase of Sphere Abu Dhabi on Yas Island. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2029. The Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi) and Sphere Entertainment have announced that Yas Island has been […]

8. Is Drake’s Three-Album Drop a Sans Label Finagle?

   Drake released three albums simultaneously, starting with his highly anticipated ICEMAN. But rumors abound that he’s looking for a swift exit from UMG. Over the weekend, Drake surprised fans with not just one album, but three, all dropping simultaneously, starting with his highly anticipated ICEMAN. But the move has stirred rumors that Drake, who is […]

9. ‘Michael’ Global Box Office Receipts Surge Past $700 Million, Closing In on ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’

   Michael is back on top at the domestic box office with a cool $26 million in its fourth weekend, and a staggering $700 million worldwide. In its fourth week, Michael is back in the top slot at the domestic box office with an impressive $26 million in its fourth weekend. It has outpaced The Devil […]

10. Latest Case of ‘Blue Dot Fever’? Kiefer Sutherland Cancels US Tour Following ‘Very Low Ticket Sales’

    Kiefer Sutherland cancels the US leg of his tour due to “very low ticket sales” in the latest case of “Blue Dot Fever.” Sutherland added that he doesn’t think it’s fair to the venues or those who bought tickets to “play to half-empty houses.” Actor and singer-songwriter Kiefer Sutherland has cancelled the U.S. leg of […]

11. Apple Music Launches ‘Club Live’ EDM Streaming Series, Tees Up Exclusive EDC Las Vegas Broadcast and On-Demand Tracks

    Apple Music has stepped up its EDM game with the launch of “Club Live,” which is preparing to stream EDC Las Vegas before select performances are made available for on-demand listening in spatial audio. A rep for the Apple-owned DSP reached out with word of Club Live, which is setting sail in tandem with Electric […]

12. Is ‘AI Resistance’ Setting the Music Sector Back? WMG’s Robert Kyncl Sees ‘An Incredible Value Creation Opportunity,’ But Warns ‘We Cannot Wait the Way the Industry Did 25 Years Ago’

    Is the music industry leaving value on the table and setting itself back by failing to embrace generative AI? Warner Music head Robert Kyncl believes so, and he’s doubling down on the position as his company leans into its Suno partnership. The Warner Music Group (WMG) CEO elaborated on his AI stance during the Amplify […]

13. New Study Commissioned by Music Artists Coalition Suggests Overwhelming Bipartisan Support Among Voters for Ticketing Reform

    A new national survey released by the Music Artists Coalition shows widespread support for ticketing reform among voters on both sides of the aisle. Voters nationwide have shown support for reform in the concert ticket resale market, according to a new survey conducted on behalf of the Music Artists Coalition (MAC). Sampling 800 registered voters […]

14. Ticketmaster Faces Renewed Criticism After Exec Indicates That the Platform’s Queues Aren’t Random — So How Are Positions Actually Determined?

    Another day, another round of Ticketmaster scrutiny – this time over the platform’s approach to assigning queue positions when fans are attempting to purchase high-demand tickets. This latest wave of criticism was set in motion by a self-described Swiftie who took aim at Ticketmaster on X. As many know, from social media to the halls […]

15. After Blowing Off the Lawsuit, Jermaine Jackson Ordered to Pay $6.5 Million to Rape Accuser

    Jermaine Jackson was ordered to pay $6.5 million after failing to respond to a lawsuit filed by a woman who accused him of rape in a 1988 incident. Jermaine Jackson has been ordered to pay over $6.5 million to a woman who accused him of rape, after he failed to respond to her lawsuit concerning […]