Music Industry News
A collection of Music latest news, analysis and best practices from top business influencers and the world's most trustworthy sources.
Reeves crushes UK's live music industry with tax hikes
More than 6,000 people working in Britain's grassroots music venues lost their jobs in the wake of Rachel Reeves ' swingeing National Insurance hikes last year, a new report has claimed. The Music Venue Trust (MVT), which works to protect Britain's…
Music Industry Moves: Universal Music and NetEase Announce Multi-Year Licensing Deal for China
Universal Music Group and NetEase Cloud Music, a leading music streaming service provider in China, have announced a strategic multi-year license agreement for UMG's world-leading music catalog of artists and recordings across NetEase Cloud Music's…
RZA Is Embracing AI In Music-Even As The Industry Pushes Back
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready… Wu-Tang's RZA proclaimed he was a fan of AI as a creative partner during a panel at CES 2026. At the annual tech event showcasing the latest innovations across AI, robotics, cars, health wearables…
More than half of grassroots music venues did not make money in 2025 - charity
More than half (53%) of grassroots music venues (GMVs) did not make any profit in 2025 according to figures from the Music Venue Trust (MVT). The industry body published its annual report for 2025 on Wednesday which highlighted that, despite…
BeatStars Acquires Lemonaide AI, Integrating Generative Music Into Rights-First Creator Platform
BeatStars and Lemonaide AI leadership announce acquisition aimed at integrating ethical music generation into rights-first creator platform, January 20, 2025 BeatStars and Lemonaide AI photo For much of the past two years, the music industry has…
Patient died during eye surgery 'while medics played music BINGO
A Colorado medic has been charged with manslaughter after a patient died during a routine cataract operation while the surgeon and his team played musical bingo. Dr Michael Urban, 68, who was the anesthesiologist, was indicted this week following…
Valentino's Most Gorgeous Music Looks
Lady Gaga paid homage to Judy Garland, who starred in the 1954 version of A Star Is Born, when she attended the red carpet for her own take on the iconic film in 2018. The lavender gown evoked old-Hollywood glamour, paired with a 20-carat…
Warner Music Group Names Hannah Karp Executive VP and Chief Communications Officer
Warner Music Group has announced that Hannah Karp has been named EVP & chief communications officer, effective January 26. Karp, who joins after eight years as editor in chief of Billboard, replaces James Steven, who departed for Universal Music…
UK grassroots music venues show lowest decline since 2018 as sector stabilises post-pandemic
The number of grassroots music venues (GMV) in the UK shrank in effect by just nine in 2025, the lowest rate of annual decline since 2018. Thirty venues closed permanently between July 2024 and 2025 and 48 ceased functioning as GMVs, citing…
Music Magpie joins forces with Timpson to offer high street mobile trade-ins
News from The City, market updates plus comment and analysis from our business desk I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice. Music Magpie has struck a deal with retailer Timpson to…
Lucas Grabeel Talks 'High School Musical' 20 Years Later
Lucas: I can still remember performing for the first time, the curtains opening up, and me being on stage. I knew from that moment on, I was never going to do anything else. The fact that I've been fortunate enough to work on projects that have…
High School Musical cast now - A-list break-up, different career and marriage
On the night it premiered in the U.S., on January 20, 2006, High School Musical was watched by 7.7 million viewers and set a new record for Disney Channel. Since then, it has gone on to be a cultural phenomenon, shaping the interests of teens and…
'Cowardly' bigots rage after popular Broadway musical casts transgender actress
Anti-trans bigots are losing their heads over some creative casting on Broadway. Dylan Mulvaney, the transgender influencer and lightning rod at the center of the 2024 Bud Light boycott, has been cast as Anne Boleyn, the second, beheaded wife of…
Gospel Music Icon Yaw Sarpong Passes on - The Ghanaian Chronicle
Renowned Ghanaian gospel musician Yaw Sarpong has reportedly passed away.The veteran gospel artiste is said to have died on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at the Emena Hospital in Kumasi, where he had been receiving medical care, according to sources…
Frank Sinatra Musical Sets London West End Transfer
“ Sinatra The Musical ” will make its West End premiere this summer, with performances beginning June 3 at the Aldwych Theatre in London. The production, which played a sold-out run at Birmingham Rep in 2023, showcases more than 20…
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