CMU | the music business explained (Page 10)

Beware the “wolf under the cape” in Universal’s Downtown land grab, warns Beggars boss as IMPALA calls for regulators to block the deal

EU AI Act can only provide a “temporary fix” to the “darker aspect” of AI’s “profound disruption” to creative industries says open letter

AI generated music will suck €4 billion a year away from music creators by 2028 says CISAC

Village People founder loves Trump using YMCA, but hates people calling it a gay anthem

Executives from BMG, Absolute Label Services, Mahogany Music, Punch Records and more to join award winning female entrepreneurs in Liverpool as first Sound City+ 2025 speakers unveiled

AIF makes desperate call for government to “step up, and step up now” to get festivals through “devastating period”, as MVT launches new Liveline fund

New AI transparency proposal in US Congress will “pave the way” for creator compensation says ASCAP boss

SXSW ditches weapons sponsors to burnish brand - so why won’t it ditch its ties to Saudi Arabia?

SXSW London could disrupt delicately balanced music ecosystem and should reconsider its date

Grande Communications • 3 min read

Major labels vs ISPs rumbles on as labels ask appeals court to reconsider latest Grande ruling

A US appeals court recently upheld a copyright ruling secured against Grande Communications by the major labels. However, it also ordered for the ISP’s damages bill to be recalculated in a way that would mean the labels get less cash. The majors want that element of the decision to be reconsidered…

Chris Cooke • 12 Nov 2024

Hipgnosis • 3 min read

Hipgnosis is back, groaning with cash and looking to go shopping

Everyone’s favourite elephant is back in town. Ditching the denim, Hipgnosis has put on a suit, brushed its hair and sat down with the big boys of finance, resulting in an investment grade megabond issue where a bunch of music rights will pay out your pension in years to come…

Sam Taylor • 12 Nov 2024

Live Nation • 3 min read

“Hurrah for Trump!” hoots Live Nation’s CFO Joe Berchtold - sort of - as he ponders the future of the DoJ’s antitrust lawsuit

Trump’s victory in last week’s US election is likely good news for Live Nation, as it continues to fight an antitrust lawsuit filed by the Department Of Justice. Under Trump, the DoJ is expected to be much less interventionist on antitrust issues. Certainly that’s what Live Nation is expecting…

Chris Cooke • 12 Nov 2024

CMU Approved • 1 min read

🎧 Approved: HONESTY

HONESTY, the Leeds-based collective, bring a fluid, immersive energy to the stage, embracing a refreshingly genre-less, expectation-free ethos. They create soundscapes that feel both introspective and expansive - a careful balance between the personal and the cinematic.…

Kaya Robertson • 12 Nov 2024

Universal Music • 3 min read

Pershing Square’s Ackman wants Universal Music to ditch Dutch stock market

Universal Music board member Bill Ackman says he wants the major to move its stock market listing from Amsterdam to New York. Although prompted by unrest in Amsterdam last Thursday, he argues there are sound business reasons to move the listing. Universal says Ackman’s position has been noted…

Sam Taylor & Chris Cooke • 11 Nov 2024

BookMyShow • 2 min read

BookMyShow must do more to stop touting after Coldplay controversy, say Indian police

BookMyShow says all stakeholders in the Indian live sector should “come together” to tackle ticket touting. The Indian primary ticketing company was last week ordered by police to put more restrictions in place when selling tickets to indemand events following the recent Coldplay touting controversy…

Chris Cooke • 11 Nov 2024

Diddy • 2 min read

Diddy’s gagging order denied as judge says alleged victims must be free to speak

Diddy has been denied a gagging order that would have prohibited everyone who has accused him of assault of speaking to the media while he awaits trial on charges of sex trafficking. He’s also having another go at getting bail while he awaits that trial, proposing extensive house arrest restrictions…

Chris Cooke • 11 Nov 2024

Releases & Tours • 1 min read

⏩ Releases & Tours: Nov 2024 (Week 45)

Each week CMU rounds up standout releases and tour announcements from the last seven days This week: Brian Jonestown Massacre, GRIFF, Ab-Soul, Celeste, Alice Phoebe Lou + more, while tour announcements include DEFTONES, Scissor Sisters + more…

Kaya Robertson • 11 Nov 2024

Musicians’ Union • 2 min read

MU calls on major labels to “step up” in creator remuneration negotiations

The UK government has reaffirmed its commitment to the Creator Remuneration Working Group which is trying to address issues that have been raised about how music creators share in streaming income. The MU says that for that process to succeed, the majors now need to “step up and make some offers”…

Chris Cooke • 08 Nov 2024

Cloudflare • 3 min read

Cloudflare says EU piracy list should focus on “truly bad actors”, not companies like Cloudflare

The EU is currently compiling the next edition of its Piracy Watch List, with rightsholders submitting lists of their main piracy concerns. In some cases that includes grievances about internet services companies like Cloudflare. But that’s not what the Watch List should be about, insists Cloudflare…

Chris Cooke • 08 Nov 2024

PRS For Music • 2 min read

PRS says claim it dubbed venues and managers “inefficient” and “unprofessional” is “utterly untrue”

PRS has responded to the claim that it recently implied that smaller venues, and the managers of artists that play them, are “inefficient” and “unprofessional”. The claim - based on something PRS said in recent a filing as part of an ongoing legal battle - is “false”, the collecting society insists…

Chris Cooke • 08 Nov 2024

Kem • 2 min read

Kem manager dispute puts sunset clauses in the spotlight

A dispute between Kem and his ex-manager highlights the importance of management deals being properly documented in writing. The manager claims she is still due commissions on his income despite not managing him since 2016. That depends on whether agreements from 2003 or 2005 are still in force…

Chris Cooke • 07 Nov 2024