Deals
Reach Music Publishing has acquired a number of publishing assets and songwriter shares from multi-platinum country music songwriter Wyatt Durrette. The deal includes interests in 29 of Durrette’s compositions, including his share of Zac Brown Band’s nine-time platinum hit ‘Chicken Fried’ and Luke Combs’ diamond-certified ‘Beautiful Crazy’. Michael Closter, President and Founder of Reach Music, says, “This marks Reach’s largest acquisition in the country space, and we couldn’t be more excited than to have done this deal with Wyatt.” Reach Music will co-administer the acquired rights with Durrette’s longtime publisher, Richard Blackstone of Blackstone Entertainment.
Universal Music Group Nashville has partnered with Mosley Music, the indie label founded by Timbaland, to discover and develop new country talent. The collaboration aims to expand country music’s influence by incorporating diverse sounds and cultural elements. Cindy Mabe, CEO of Universal Music Group Nashville, says, “Over the past year, we have been working with Timbaland on the shared goal of developing great artists together as well as bridging the gaps in sound and culture in country music.” Timbaland adds, “I’ve been aligned with Universal Music Group the majority of my career as an artist and with my label Mosley Music, so UMG Nashville felt like the right place to partner for us in country.”
Country music artist Conner Smith has signed a new management agreement with Jake Kinney, founder of the newly-launched Pioneer Artists, in partnership with Chris Kappy of Make Wake Artists. Smith, signed to Valory Music Co, released his debut album ‘Smoky Mountains’ earlier this year, featuring breakout hits ‘Creek Will Rise’ and ‘I Hate Alabama’. “This is a very exciting time and step for me, as I get to partner with Pioneer and Make Wake heading into this next chapter of my career”, says Smith.
Singer-songwriter Angie K has signed with Wasserman Music for worldwide representation, where she will be represented by Wasserman’s Nate Ritches. Angie K, a queer country artist born in El Salvador and raised in Georgia, says, “I’m absolutely pumped; it’s gonna be a hell of a year! Wasserman has always felt like so much more than an agency.” The artist recently released a new track titled ‘Death of Me’. Ritches says, “Angie’s diverse talent with broad appeal and potential excite us to see where her career will lead.”
Tixel, a ticket resale marketplace, has partnered with leading UK concert and festival promoter Kilimanjaro Live to expand its presence in the British market. The collaboration, which began with Kilimanjaro’s outdoor events including Kew The Music and Belladrum, aims to provide a secure resale platform for fans while offering promoters data-driven insights. Elliott Brough, Head Of Partnerships at Kilimanjaro’s parent company KMJ Entertainment, says, “Partnering with Tixel not only provides us with valuable data but also opens up opportunities to develop unique strategies for our future events.” Tixel, which launched in the UK in 2021, already works with a number of independent festivals, including 2000Trees, Bloodstock and Shambala.
Legal
Young Buck has repaid a $250,000 loan to former G-Unit label boss 50 Cent, ending their long-standing legal dispute. The rapper, whose real name is David Brown, raised over $1 million by selling off assets including jewellery, luxury cars and his music catalogue rights as part of a bankruptcy process. Buck used the funds to clear his debt to 50 Cent, as well as settle a $190,000 IRS lien and child support obligations. With his debts cleared, Buck is now free of recording obligations to 50 Cent and can resume his music career independently.
Streaming, Broadcast & Digital
Tencent Music Entertainment Group has announced its financial results for the second quarter of 2024, with significant growth in its subscription music business. The company reported a 29.4% year-over-year increase in music subscription revenues to RMB3.74 billion (US$515 million), driven by a 17.7% rise in paying users, bringing its total number of paid music subscribers to 117 million. The company also saw its monthly ARPPU for music increase by 10.3% to RMB10.7 – or around $1.49. Ross Liang, CEO of Tencent Music, comments, “Our focus on user-centric innovation continued to pay off, as we have seen a steady increase in both online music subscribers and retention.”
ChartCipher has launched a new tier of service aimed at artists and managers for analysing hit song characteristics. The platform examines the compositional, lyrical and sonic qualities of tracks across eleven Billboard charts, including the Hot 100 and genre-specific rankings. This analysis provides insights into what makes songs successful, helping creators understand current trends and audience preferences. David Penn, ChartCipher co-founder and CCO, says, “By leveraging these insights, you become better equipped to release music that not only stays true to your artistic vision, but also connects with listeners and remains relevant in today’s fast-changing music landscape.” The new tier, starting at $9.99 per month, allows users to select specific charts for analysis and offers discounted access to trend reports.
Synchtank and AudioShake have partnered to integrate AI-powered stem separation into music asset management workflows. The collaboration aims to unlock new revenue streams for rightsholders by enabling the creation of high-quality stems within Synchtank‘s platform, facilitating sync opportunities, remixing and fan engagement. Synchtank CEO Amy Hegarty says, “Our number one priority is to provide our customers with cutting-edge solutions that drive efficiency and revenue.” AudioShake Co-founder and CEO Jessica Powell adds, “Sync deals move fast, and in this industry it’s critical for artists and labels to act quickly.” Synchtank claims most sync teams are currently unable to fulfil 30-50% of inbound requests due to a lack of instrumentals.
UnitedMasters, the distribution and services company for independent artists, has launched a new subscription tier called DEBUT+ in the US. Priced at $19.99 annually, the DEBUT+ tier allows artists to upload their music to all streaming platforms whilst retaining 100% of their royalties. The company has also announced the Make Your Debut Challenge, a contest for US-based artists with a grand prize valued at $250,000. Steve Stoute, UnitedMasters CEO, says, “With DEBUT+ and the Make Your Debut Challenge, we’re welcoming the next wave of independent artists into our ecosystem and empowering them with the technology, education and growth opportunities to launch sustainable careers on their own terms.”
Colossal, a new music collaboration app, has launched to connect producers and artists through a TikTok-like interface powered by machine learning. The platform aims to simplify beat discovery and licensing for artists whilst providing producers with improved monetisation opportunities. Colossal founder and CEO Paul Anthony says, “We’re trying to create a new economy so that music creators can make more money. We’re creating a new pool of money for creators, not siphoning it away from an existing pool.” The app has already attracted notable producers including Lex Luger, as well as beatmakers Moniquewinning (NLE Choppa), ProdbyRFP, Oshi and Omito beats.
Collabhouse, the music distribution and promotions platform founded by Spinnin’ Records creator Eelko van Kooten, has launched a competition offering independent artists the chance to win a €5000 promotional campaign. The prize includes a dedicated promotion team to run a TikTok campaign, along with software subscriptions and plug-ins. To enter, producers must upload an original track to Collabhouse before 9 Sep, with the winner selected through member voting. Andy Berensen, Chief Marketing Officer of Collabhouse, says, “It’s a highly competitive music industry, and it’s incredibly challenging for independent music creators to break through the noise. That’s why we created Collabhouse – a launchpad designed to boost your music career and help you stand out.”
Live
Promoter AEG has issued a statement apologising for entry delays and safety concerns at Yungblud’s inaugural Bludfest festival at Milton Keynes’ National Bowl at the weekend. The company cited “rigorous and heightened security measures” as the cause of long queues in 28-degree heat, which led to reports of fans fainting and missing performances. AEG says, “We encouraged all ticketholders to come prepared for the hot weather and our teams on the ground assisted with handing out water, communicating shaded areas, and directing guests in need of additional assistance to the nearest welfare and medic stations.” The company has pledged to implement changes for future events, acknowledging that “for the fact some fans felt we didn’t meet their needs on the day, we would like to say sorry.”
Kendal Calling has broken its first-day sales record for its 2025 event. The festival sold 50% of tickets for next year’s 20th anniversary edition within two hours of going on sale. This follows the 2024 event selling out and the announcement that ticket prices would be held at the same level for 2025. Andy Smith, co-founder of Kendal Calling, says, “Each year, on the morning we go back on sale, we wake up with nervous flutters about how the day is going to unfold. Last weekend was the best show yet, but we’re only human and have the same anxieties anyone else would have. We needn’t have worried – you turned out this morning in record numbers, keen as we are to get back in those fields.”
YOUROPE, the European Festival Association representing popular music festivals, has announced its inaugural European Festival Summit to be held from 18-20 Nov in Karlsruhe, Germany. The event aims to explore the future of festivals with leading European festival creators and experts from fields such as AI, cyber security and climate research. Festival organisers, event professionals and other stakeholders are invited to participate in discussions on improving the sector’s resilience, responsibility and relevance. YOUROPE describes the summit as “an opportunity to meet like-minded people from all over Europe in a relaxed atmosphere to find out how to improve the festival sector together.”
Other industry news & events
The UK’s Association Of Independent Music has announced the first nominees for its 2024 Independent Music Awards, taking place on 17 Oct at London’s Roundhouse. The event will showcase a diverse range of UK independent music, with categories including Best Independent Album, featuring Jorja Smith and Barry Can’t Swim, and Best Independent Track, with nominees like CASISDEAD and Fontaines D.C. Ninja Tune, XL Recordings, Heavenly Recordings, and EGA Distro have garnered multiple nominations across the various categories. Gee Davy, AIM interim CEO, says, “We are delighted that the BBC, Amazon, Meta, Vevo, Spotify and Notion, alongside our other sponsors and partners, continue to support and champion the awards.” Ruth Barlow, AIM chair, adds, “Congratulations to the first of this year’s AIM Award nominees, these lists provide a great glimpse into the length and breadth of the UK’s independent sector.” Public voting for the Best Live Performer category is now open.
H.O.M.E, the music industry co-working hub founded by BSI Merch boss Andy Allen, has announced partnerships with The Halley and Music Technology UK. The initiative offers discounted workspace and event opportunities to members of The Halley, an East London-based studio collective, and MTUK, an organisation representing the UK music tech ecosystem. In return, H.O.M.E members will receive access to discounted studio time, meeting spaces and networking opportunities. Matt Cartmell, Chief Executive of MTUK, says, “I’m really pleased that we are partnering with H.O.M.E – our community of 80+ music tech startups is a perfect fit for H.O.M.E’s network of music industry professionals.” Allen adds, “The vision behind H.O.M.E was always to create a wholly independent environment that acknowledges the changing nature of the music industry… The Halley and MTUK both fit that bill perfectly and we are looking forward to collaborating on a range of offers and initiatives for our respective members and users”.
Sabrina Carpenter has raised nearly $600,000 through her charitable fund to support mental health, LGBTQ+ rights and animal welfare organisations. The Sabrina Carpenter Fund, launched in partnership with PLUS1, a non-profit that mobilises artists for advocacy and philanthropy, will support groups including the LGBT National Help Center, The Jed Foundation and Best Friends Animal Society. Fans attending Carpenter’s upcoming sold-out 2024 Short n Sweet Tour can upgrade their seats by taking action to support the fund via Propeller, a digital platform that encourages fan engagement with social causes. Carpenter says, “I am deeply passionate about supporting causes that are close to my heart, including mental health awareness, LGBTQ+ rights and animal welfare. It is incredibly rewarding to see the impact that The Sabrina Carpenter Fund is already making and I am grateful to my fans for their unwavering support.”
Artist News
Brian May has fronted a new BBC documentary exploring alternatives to badger culling for controlling bovine tuberculosis. The one-off programme, titled ‘Brian May: The Badgers, The Farmers And Me’, follows May’s four-year project to eradicate the disease without harming badgers and will air on BBC Two on 23 Aug at 9pm. May, a long-time opponent of badger culling, teamed up with a vet and farmer to eliminate bovine TB on a chronically infected farm without culling. “I came in to save the badgers. I now realise that to save the badgers, you have to save everybody because it’s a mess,” May says, adding, “It’s a tragic human drama where people’s hearts are broken.”
Kanye West has debuted a new song featuring Skepta called ‘Cash Cow’ at a private party in Los Angeles. The track, which boasts a grime-inspired beat, was premiered on Sunday at an event for West’s ‘Vultures’ project. Footage from the party offers a glimpse of the previously unheard collaboration. It remains unclear whether ‘Cash Cow’ will appear on ‘Vultures 3’ or as a bonus track on ‘Vultures 2’, West’s recent collaborative album with Ty Dolla $ign.
Matt McBriar of UK electronic duo Bicep has undergone surgery for a benign brain tumour. McBriar revealed in a statement that doctors discovered a large tumour on his pituitary gland after a series of tests, which was caught in the early stages. While McBriar recovers, his Bicep counterpart Andy Ferguson will perform upcoming shows solo “until further notice”. McBriar says, “Had it been much longer I might’ve lost some eyesight and a load of other problems due to the size and position of the tumour pressing on my optic nerves.”
Releases & Tours
Xiu Xiu have released two new singles, ‘Veneficium’ and ‘Arp Omni’.
Joy Orbison has released his new single ‘flex fm (freddit)’, featuring Lil Yachty, Future and Playboi Carti.
Panda Bear & Sonic Boom have released their new EP ‘Reset Mariachi EP’.
Horse Jumper Of Love have released their new single ‘Word’. Their new album ‘Disaster Trick’ is out this Friday.
DEADLETTER have released their new single ‘More Heat!’. Their debut album ‘Hysterical Strength’ is out 13 Sep.
Addison Rae has released her new single ‘Diet Pepsi’.
A Place To Bury Strangers have released their new single ‘You Got Me’. Their new album ‘Synthesizer’ is out 4 Oct.
The Linda Lindas have released their new single ‘Yo Me Estreso’. Their new album ‘No Obligation’ is out 11 Oct.
Arielle Free has released her new single ‘Wasabi’.
Moby has released his new single ‘sweet moon’, featuring Choklate.
NCT’s JAEHYUN has released two new singles ‘Roses’ and ‘Dandelion’. His debut solo album ‘J – The 1st Album’ is out 26 Aug.
MRCY have added new dates to their winter UK/EU headline tour, including a show at London’s Jazz Cafe on 14 Nov. Tickets go on sale this Friday here.