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. Calvin Harris Wins $13.5 Million Payout In Legal Battle Against Ex-Manager—Though Another $12 Million Remains Under Dispute

   Calvin Harris has just won $13.5 million in a loan dispute with his former advisor, but the remaining legal battle over $12 million in equity investments continues. Calvin Harris scored a win in his ongoing legal war with his former financial advisor, Thomas St. John, whom he accused of embezzling millions from the DJ back […]

2. Right on Cue, Spotify Confirms U.S. Price Increases — Individual Rises to $12.99 Per Month, Duo Hits $18.99, and Family Jumps to $21.99

   Right on cue, Spotify has upped its prices in the U.S., where Individual now costs $12.99 per month (up from $11.99) and Family will set subscribers back $21.99 per month (previously $19.99). Spotify implemented the long-anticipated stateside increases (on top of pricing boosts in Estonia and Latvia) this morning, against the backdrop of slowing subscriber […]

3. Construction Is a Go on $21.3 Million Legends-Operated Long Beach Amphitheater—Mötley Crüe, Toto Already Booked at 11K-Capacity Venue

   Long Beach begins construction on the much-anticipated $21.3 million waterfront amphitheater, with acts like Mötley Crüe and Toto already booked. Long Beach broke ground this week on its highly anticipated amphitheater, a $21.3 million outdoor entertainment venue due to open this summer to host artists including 80s legends Mötley Crüe and Toto. The temporary venue […]

4. Bruno Mars Breaks Live Nation’s Single-Day Ticket Sales Record in North America—’The Romantic Tour’ Quickly Adds 30 More Dates

   Bruno Mars breaks Live Nation’s single-day ticket sales record in North America and adds 30 more dates to his explosive new Romantic Tour. Yes, we’re talking about Bruno. Due to incredible demand, Bruno Mars has tacked on 30 more dates to his highly anticipated The Romantic Tour, marking his first full headline tour in nearly […]

5. As Corporation for Public Broadcasting Shuts Down, Congress Votes to Keep the National Endowment for the Arts Alive

   Congress votes to fund the National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities, despite Trump’s efforts to shutter both. Last week, the U.S. House of Representatives voted on a budget proposal that includes funding for both the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), granting […]

6. Spotify Stock Slips Following U.S. Price Increases — Some Investors Anticipated Larger Bumps, Citi’s Jason Bazinet Notes

   At least for now, Wall Street doesn’t seem enthusiastic about Spotify’s latest U.S. price increases. During Thursday’s trading, the company’s stock (NYSE: SPOT) parted with 4% of its value and, in the process, reduced its year-over-year growth to 3.5%. We broke down those stateside price bumps (plus adjustments in Estonia and Latvia) soon after their […]

7. Hybe CEO Jason Jaesang Lee and Other Execs Exercise $3.5 Million Worth of Stock Options Ahead of BTS Mega-Tour

   Ahead of BTS’ mega-tour blowout – and with their company’s stock price up more than 50% from mid-January 2025 – Hybe execs are exercising $3.5 million worth of stock options. Technically, the multimillion-dollar stock options appeared to enter the media spotlight in a 10-word “headline-only” TradingView piece. But in the regulatory disclosure itself, dated January […]

8. Eurovision Song Contest Is Hitting the Road — 70th Anniversary Tour Criss-Crossing Europe This Summer

   Eurovision is going on tour across Europe this summer for its 70th anniversary, bringing together iconic performers from across the contest’s legacy. To celebrate the Eurovision Song Contest’s 70th anniversary, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has announced the first official Eurovision Song Contest Live Tour, set to travel across Europe this summer. Created especially for […]

9. BTS Tour Drama Continues: Massive Number of ‘Restricted Viewing’ Seats Draws Outrage In Seoul

   Fans are outraged by a huge portion of seats for BTS’ shows in Seoul being marked as “restricted view,” despite promises of 360-degree enhanced views. BTS had no sooner announced their reunion and world tour than fans had multiple panic-inducing moments. It can be hard enough just to secure tickets for a tour in such […]

10. Pitbull Taps Lil Jon for Ambitious ‘I’m Back Tour’ Covering 50+ Dates Across North America, Europe, UK

    Pitbull is back and celebrating his birthday in a big way with a massive 50+ date tour with special guest Lil Jon. ¡Dale! Pitbull is celebrating his birthday with a massive tour across North America, Europe, and the UK alongside special guest Lil Jon. Following numerous successful solo touring runs, Mr. Worldwide is once again […]

11. In Focus Episode 3: Why Starting a Label Is Like Building a Burrito — ‘Pick the Things You Want, Leave Out the Things You Don’t’

    Karma Bertelsen, FUGA’s Marketing Strategy Director, EMEA, in conversation with artist and songwriter, Nina Nesbitt, on how she started her own label, Apple Tree, and how it brought about creative and commercial control of her music. “It’s kind of like if you’re building your own burrito. You pick all the things you want, and you […]

12. In Focus Episode 2: Fandom – Finding Community Through Authenticity

    FUGA’s Marketing Strategy Manager, Rock, Ben Patashnik, is joined by Mark Walker, Managing Director at Free Focus, for a discussion on finding an authentic artist community, using that knowledge to build an informed content strategy, and taking care of your fans with a long-term trust strategy. The following is created in collaboration with Downtown Music, […]

13. Spotify Stock (SPOT) Hit with Multiple Price Target Drops—Wells Fargo, Bernstein, Oppenheimer, UBS, Cantor Fitzgerald, Guggenheim Soften Their Forecasts for 2026

    Spotify’s stock is still on the decline in 2026 despite broader market upticks. Now, a flurry of reduced price targets are buffeting SPOT after a Goldman Sachs downgrade last year. It’s no secret that Spotify’s stock (SPOT) has been trending downward since last year. While multiple contributing factors are at play—including the departure of co-founder […]

14. Bandcamp Takes a Stand and Bans AI-Generated Music

    Bandcamp takes an official stance against artificial intelligence by banning AI-generated audio and music from its platform. Bandcamp keeps providing users with even more reasons to love its platform. The latest move came in an announcement on Tuesday, in which Bandcamp Support took to Reddit to announce the company’s stance on artificial intelligence: Bandcamp has […]

15. Here We Go Again: BTS Premium Seats Already Hitting $5,000 on Resale Sites, Pre-Sale ‘Applications’ Now Being Accepted

    BTS is back, and it’s already a circus to try to secure tickets across the monster 79-show stadium run. Expect to pay a pretty penny to see the K-pop kings in action. The long-awaited return of BTS to the global stage is much more than just a milestone for the K-pop sensation’s devoted ARMY fanbase: […]