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. Live Nation Pushes Back Against FTC Lawsuit Claims, Says Ticketmaster Is ‘The Protected Party Under the BOTS Act, Not a Violator’

   Last week, after beating a dismissal motion in its BOTS Act lawsuit against Key Investment Group, the FTC cited the win in a separate complaint involving Live Nation. Now, the Ticketmaster parent has fired back, claiming that the decision actually supports its own arguments. Live Nation/Ticketmaster just recently took aim at the FTC’s “notice of […]

2. Dolly Parton Cancels Las Vegas Residency Due to Ongoing Health Issues

   Dolly Parton cancels her Las Vegas residency, which had been rescheduled for September, citing her previously announced health concerns. Dolly Parton’s Las Vegas residency has been cancelled, after originally being rescheduled for September. The legendary singer cited her previously reported health issues, though she added that she’s been “responding really well” to treatment and medications....

3. Steven Tyler Accused of Child Sexual Assault Back in the ‘70s, Heading to Trial After Judge Dismisses Much of the Case

   Steven Tyler heads to trial for allegations of child sexual assault back in the ‘70s. A judge has dismissed much of the case, citing the statute of limitations in Massachusetts. Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler has been accused of grooming, sexually assaulting, and impregnating a 16-year-old in the 1970s in a lawsuit first filed in 2022. […]

4. Suno Targets Series D Funding at a $5 Billion Valuation — And Plots ‘An AI Native Legal Operations’ Expansion Amid Copyright Lawsuits

   Six months later, Suno is reportedly closing in on another massive funding round – this time at a $5 billion valuation. Meanwhile, as it grapples with ultra-expensive copyright litigation, the startup is looking “to build an AI native legal operations and strategy function from the ground up.” That gargantuan raise would follow a $125 million […]

5. RCN’s Long-Running Legal Battle Against UMG, Sony, WMG Hits the Pause Button

   Internet provider RCN’s legal battle against the major labels seems to be winding down, with proceedings officially paused until June 29. The long-running legal battle between internet provider RCN and the big three (Universal, Sony, and Warner) has been put on pause, with proceedings set to resume on June 29. Both parties put in a […]

6. Spike Lee, Who Worked with Michael Jackson, Slams Critics Questioning Why ‘Michael’ Didn’t Include Abuse Allegations

   Spike Lee defends Lionsgate’s Michael biopic from critics who questioned why the film stopped short of addressing child sex abuse allegations. Director Spike Lee defended Antoine Fuqua’s Michael Jackson biopic from critics who found it odd that the film ended just a few years before the first of the pop legend’s many allegations of child […]

7. Suno Ambitiously Plans to ‘Reimagine’ Songkick and Concert Discovery with AI

   After acquiring Songkick from Warner Music Group in November, Suno plans to use the platform’s juicy user data tranche to reimagine concert discovery with AI. AI startup Suno shook hands with Warner Music Group back in November, a “landmark” licensing deal between a music company and an artificial intelligence company. Accordingly, Suno now has formal […]

8. Barry Manilow Postpones Vegas Residency Due to Cancer

   Barry Manilow is making great progress with his cancer treatment, but postpones the start of his Vegas residency as a result. He’ll be back in July. Over the weekend, legendary singer Barry Manilow announced that while he’s “making great progress” with his cancer treatment, he has to cancel his residency dates in May at the […]

9. Shakira Crushes Copacabana Beach With a Crowd of 2 Million. Amazingly, That’s Not a Record.

   Shakira performed a free concert on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro over the weekend, an event that the city’s mayor said drew a crowd of 2 million. Colombian singer-songwriter, dancer, and producer Shakira stunned on Saturday night, performing a free concert on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro. According to the city’s mayor, the […]

10. Postponed Malone? ‘Big Ass Stadium Tour 2’ Cancels Several Dates As Ticket Sales Stall

    Post Malone has cancelled six dates at the beginning of his Big Ass Stadium Tour 2, moving the start of the tour to June 9. Post Malone and Jelly Roll have cancelled several upcoming dates on their Big Ass Stadium Tour Part 2, moving the start of the tour back a few weeks to June […]

11. Sony Music v. Udio Legal Battle Heats Up — AI Music Generator Acknowledges Obtaining ‘Audio Data from YouTube,’ Using Stream-Ripper YT-DLP

    Still fending off a high-stakes lawsuit from Sony Music, Udio is doubling down on its longstanding fair use arguments and defending its training-related ingestion of “audio data from YouTube.” The AI music generator just recently touched on these and other noteworthy subjects when answering Sony Music’s amended action. As we reported, the retooled suit arrived […]

12. What’s Next in the FTC’s Live Nation/Ticketmaster Lawsuit? BOTS Act Case Takes Center Stage Following States’ Antitrust Trial Win

    Following a federal ruling confirming that the BOTS Act doesn’t just apply to bot-powered ticket purchases – or individuals – where does the FTC v. Live Nation case go from here? That pressing question is front of mind for two main reasons. Most immediately, pretty much everyone is aware of states’ recent victory over Live […]

13. Federal Judge Shuts Down Spotify ‘Payola’ Class Action — Case Officially Stayed, Ordered to Arbitration

    Six months later, a federal judge has shut down a lawsuit centering on Spotify’s allegedly deceptive editorial playlist placements and algorithmic recommendations. Now, the proposed class action complaint is heading to arbitration, and its class claims are no more. Judge John G. Koeltl just recently granted Spotify’s motion to compel arbitration and do away with […]

14. Kanye Concert in Albania Given the Go-Ahead Amid European Cancellations

    The Albanian Prime Minister confirms that a Kanye West concert will go ahead in the country, despite several cancelled shows in Europe and Australia. On Thursday, Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama announced on social media that a Kanye West concert will go ahead as planned in the country on July 11 in Tirana. The Prime […]

15. Instagram Debuts More ‘Original Content’ Protections for Creators

    Instagram announces that accounts regularly reposting content they didn’t create will no longer be eligible for recommendations across the platform. On Thursday, Instagram announced some changes to ensure creators on the platform get the credit and distribution they deserve. Accounts that regularly repost content they didn’t create, or primarily share other people’s work in photos […]