Spotify says it paid out $7 billion to music rights holders last year. More than 1,000 generated over $1 million, and more than 50 thousand generated over $10 thousand.

For you Worlde fans, there’s Heardle - the Wordle for music. Now you can try to Name That Tune in six guesses or less. I bet I can name that song in one note :) 

In music tech news,

YouTube is adding new live stream features which include live guests, which will allow creators to invite a guest to their stream, and live rings which help to better alert viewers when a channel is going live. 

From the Web 3 World...

Token||Traxx, a new NFT marketplace for the music community, sold out their TRAXX Token Public Sale this week and has announced new partnerships with AscendEX and BitMart

In Musical Chairs...

UTA’s music division just added a trio of new hires. Aaron Arkin, Vatana Shaw and Mary Allen. will join the team.

And for your listening pleasure…

Soccer Mommy announces a new album titled "Sometimes Forever." It will land on June 24th, courtesy of Loma Vista.

That concludes today's update. For article links, see the show notes, or go to MusicIndustryCity.com and tune in to The Weekly Wrap on the Music Industry City YouTube channel Thursday nights at 7pm eastern.

Have a great day!

TikTok Radio Hits SiriusXM. The new station will feature popular TikTok content producers and influencers, and will sound like the app's “For You” feed.

Splendour In The Grass will not go ahead in 2021, but will return in July 2022. This is the fourth time it has had to postpone since the outbreak began.

Make sure to check out the show notes for links to the articles referenced and on MusicIndustryCity.com 

In Music Tech News…

Users can now produce and share short-form video content within Facebook Groups or the News Feed. In addition, they're testing a new feature to Instagram producers to share their material directly on the site.

and In Musical Chairs...

Sarah Wilson has been named as Head of TuneCore UK. She will manage and grow the company's artist portfolio while finding partnerships and growth opportunities.

That concludes today's update. For article links, see the show notes, or go to MusicIndustryCity.com and tune in to the Music News at Noon live in Clubhouse or on the website weekdays at 12 p.m. Eastern.

Have a great weekend!

MUSIC LICENSING STARTUP SLIP.STREAM RAISES $3.25M The company, which bills itself as a "creator safe music platform," provides a copyright strike safe library of over 50,000 tracks and 40,000 sound effects filled with "real music from real artists."

The UK Waives Quarantine Requirements For Fully the Vaccinated. Travelers from Europe and the United States will no longer be required to endure a 10-day quarantine beginning August 2. Travelers must still undergo a pre-departure test before arriving in England, as well as a PCR test on or before day 2.

The warning label reads, Do not leave in direct sunlight because Climate change is literally melting vinyl records. Due to the recent extreme heat, vinyl records have warped while being shipped to record stores and customers. The melting is especially difficult for independent labels, which have few resources to order extra copies.

Make sure to check out the show notes for links to the articles referenced and on MusicIndustryCity.com 

In Music Tech News…

You can now get a bunch of star-powered producer packs for Garageband from Dua Lipa Lady Gaga, Mark Ronson, TRAKGIRL, and more for free. 

Listen today, In celebration of the five year anniversary of his first Bobby Tarantino mixtape, Logic has dropped a new mixtape today called, Bobby Tarantino 3.

And finally, the Internet delivers. Thanks to years of Rick-rolling, Rick Astley‘s, “Never Gonna Give You Up,” has hit a billion YouTube views this week. Way to go, Internet!

That concludes today's update. For article links, see the show notes, or go to MusicIndustryCity.com and tune in to the Music News at Noon live in Clubhouse or on the website weekdays at 12 p.m. Eastern.

Have a great weekend!

Face to Face announce new LP ‘No Way Out But Through

The new album will be released on Fat Wreck Chords on September 10th. It was produced by regular collaborator Siegfried Meier, and they've released the first single and title track. Face to Face will be touring this year and next, including a stop at the sold-out Furnace Fest and other festival appearances in the United States and Europe.

Lana Del Rey, Janelle Monae Pull Out of Bonnaroo Festival

Lana Del Rey, Janelle Monáe, and King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard have withdrawn from the Bonnaroo festival, organizers revealed on social media. There was no explanation given for the cancellations, but it appears that Del Rey's album delay (she'd announced that her second album of 2021, "Blue Bannisters," would be released on July 4th but postponed it the day before) and Janelle Monae's widely reported appearance in "Knives Out 2" could have played a role.

IRELAND TO CRIMINALISE FOR-PROFIT SECONDARY TICKETING THIS MONTH
According to the Irish Times, the Republic of Ireland's government is on the verge of outlawing for-profit ticket reselling in the country, some four years after the idea was originally mooted.

Ticket touts will face fines of up to €100,000 or up to two years in prison under the new legislation. It will be applicable to cultural, entertainment, and sporting events.

Former Prime Minister Leo Varadkar introduced the Sale of Tickets Bill 2020, which has been in the works since 2017.

We’ll talk more about this in the Music News Power Hour live on Clubhouse and on MusicIndustryCity.com at 12 p.m. Eastern.

In Musical Chairs…

Goldenvoice Adds Marcus 'Don Dada' Johnson As Talent Buyer

On Wednesday, Goldenvoice, the Los Angeles-based promoter, announced the arrival of Johnson as a talent buyer. An Oakland native, he has worked as an independent producer and marketer for Southern California events for nearly two decades, including teaming with Goldenvoice to ticket many of the company's shows and festivals since 2009. In his new position, he will be in charge of artist acquisition for Goldenvoice events and clubs, including Los Angeles' The Novo.

In Music Tech News…

TIKTOK IS PARKING ITS TANKS ON YOUTUBE’S LAWN… AS REPORT SAYS ITS USERS ARE MORE ENGAGED THAN ITS RIVAL’S

According to a new analysis issued by reputable analytics firm App Annie, TikTok topped YouTube in both the United States and the United Kingdom for average time spent per user, per month on Android as of May 2021. According to App Annie, TikTok users in the United States on Android devices spent an average of 24.5 hours per month on the app which compares to 22 hours per month per person on YouTube. In the United Kingdom, TikTok users spent 26 hours per month on the platform in May of this year, whereas UK YouTube users spent only 16 hours per month.

That concludes today's update. For article links, see the show notes, or go to MusicIndustryCity.com and listen to the Music News Power Hour live in Clubhouse or on the website at 12 p.m. Eastern.

Have a great weekend!

Courtney Barnett announces new album Things Take Time, Take Time

Courtney Barnett's third album will be released on November 12th. The lead single is titled "Rae Street,". Tell Me How You Really Feel, her most recent album, was released in 2018. Barnett will embark on a North American tour in November to promote her upcoming album, backed by Beduine, Bartees Strange, Warpaint, Julia Jacklin, and Shamir.

St. Vincent Announces Details Of UK And European Tour For 2022

The tour will take place in the UK and Europe next summer in support of her critically acclaimed sixth album, Daddy's Home. Along with previously confirmed festival dates at Mad Cool in Madrid and NOS Alive in Lisbon, St. Vincent will now tour Europe in June, including her biggest UK headline show to date at London's Hammersmith Eventim Apollo. Tickets will be available for purchase beginning at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 11.

JAY Z’S ROC NATION MAKES VR MOVE WITH PURCHASE OF SENSO TOKENS FROM $100M-BACKED SENSORIUM CORPORATION

Sensorium Galaxy, the yet-to-be-released social VR platform owned by Sensorium Corporation, was launched in 2018. SENSO tokens are the on-platform, Ethereum-based currency of Sensorium Galaxy. The purchase of SENSO tokens by Roc Nation follows the announcement last August that TIDAL, which Jay-Z sold to Jack Dorsey in April, spent $7 million on SENSO tokens. These tokens are used by participants to gain access to artists' concerts on the platform, subscribe to premium content, modify their avatars, upgrade features, issue NFTs, and carry out other actions.

We’ll talk more about this in the Music News Power Hour live on Clubhouse and on MusicIndustryCity.com at 12 p.m. Eastern.

In Musical Chairs…

BETH APPLETON JOINS MUSIC CREDIT RESOURCE JAXSTA AS CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER

Appleton previously worked at Warner Music Australia as General Manager and Senior Vice President Marketing Australasia. Beginning Monday, July 12, she will be located at the company's Sydney headquarters. Jaxsta bills itself as “the world’s largest public-facing, dedicated database of official music credits”.

In Music Tech News…

Stream-ripper hits back at court order over user-data

Stream-ripping sites FLVTO and 2conv have responded to a court ruling concerning the storage and distribution of user data. Tofig Kurbanov, a Russian operator, is now battling a lawsuit filed by American labels in Virginia courts. He claims that the court order will cost him thousands of dollars in new expenses, as well as placing him at risk of violating data protection regulations in some countries and putting his users at risk of having records of their online activity confiscated by the Russian government.

That concludes today's update. For article links, see the show notes, or go to MusicIndustryCity.com and listen to the Music News Power Hour live in Clubhouse or on the website at 12 p.m. Eastern.

Have a great day!

Jacob Collier Partners With Fiat To Launch New Electric Car

Fiat has partnered with musician Jacob Collier to produce a new, all-electric 500. Collier, an environmental advocate and Grammy award winner produced a unique version of Peggy Lee's iconic track “I Love Being Here With You.” for the Fiat campaign. According to a statement, the song is a celebration of the "simple beauty of life".

Supergrass Replace Richard Ashcroft As 2021 Tramlines Festival Headliners

Sheffield’s Tramlines Festival announced that Supergrass will be the new headliner for this month’s festival. The announcement comes after Richard Ashcroft pulled out of his appearance following its status as a test event for the UK government’s Events Research Program. Ashcroft said in a statement, “I had informed my agent months ago I wouldn’t be playing concerts with restrictions,”  Tramlines announced that they are “delighted to let you know that the amazing Supergrass are your new Sunday headliners!” 

We’ll talk more about this in the Music News Power Hour live on Clubhouse and on MusicIndustryCity.com at 12 p.m. Eastern.

In Musical Chairs…

Ex-WME Agent Brent Smith Joins Executive Team At Wasserman Music

Brent Smith, who left WME in October, has joined Wasserman Music, where he is named executive vice president and managing executive on July 6. Smith joins veteran agents Marty Diamond, Jonathan Levine, Jackie Nalpant, and others at the company. He joins a firm that was founded in April when Wasserman bought Paradigm Talent Agency's North American music holdings.

National Lottery and Music Venue Trust partner on £1 million grassroots touring initiative

The National Lottery has teamed up with Music Venue Trust on a £1 million project to help revitalize the UK's grassroots live music business as COVID limitations are finally lifted.

Artists such as Tom Jones, Rag N Bone Man, Mahalia, and Sam Fender will perform in small venues across the UK as part of the National Lottery's Revive Live Tour.

That concludes today's update. For article links, see the show notes, or go to MusicIndustryCity.com and listen to the Music News Power Hour live in Clubhouse or on the website at 12 p.m. Eastern.

Have a great day!

Goat announce new compilation album, ‘Headsoup’

Goat, a Swedish experimental group, has released a new album, 'Headsoup,' including its lead track, 'Queen of the Underground.' 'Headsoup' will be a collection of non-album material spanning the band's career, including standalone singles, B-sides, digital edits, and two new songs. The album will be available on August 27th.

A Tribe Called Quest deny authorising sale of royalties portion as NFT

A Tribe Called Quest has denied claims that they had teamed with music licensing marketplace Royalty Exchange to auction off a piece of their record revenues as an NFT.

Now, co-founder Ali Shaheed Muhammad has penned a lengthy response to claims of A Tribe Called Quest's connection with Royalty Exchange or sale authorization, labeling them "Not Frigging True." No member of A Tribe Called Quest has entered into any partnership with Royalty Exchange.

UK PRIME MINISTER CONFIRMS INTENTION TO ENABLE FULL-CAPACITY EVENTS FROM JULY 19

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has confirmed that full-capacity events will be able to take place in England beginning July 19. On that day, a 150th anniversary concert at London's Royal Albert Hall will be one of the first full-house events. The prime minister stated that a final decision will be taken on July 12, and that limitations will be lifted one week later, as scheduled. He stated that the action follows data indicating the considerably lower Covid-19 mortality rates as a result of vaccine roll-out, with the UK having the highest per - capita immunization rate in Europe. 

We’ll talk more about this in the Music News Power Hour live on Clubhouse and on MusicIndustryCity.com at 12 p.m. Eastern.

New California Budget Includes $150M for Independent Music Venues

Under the new budget provisions, around 660 venues and promoters may be eligible for financial relief. California Governor Gavin Newsom signed the state's 2021-2022 budget, which includes $150 million for independent venues and promoters, into law on June 28. Venues must have a defined performance space, mixing equipment, a PA system, and a lighting rig to be eligible. A venue must have at least two people who work as sound engineers, bookers, promoters, stage managers, ticket office managers, and/or security staff.

And in music tech news…

Riot Games Launches Royalty-Free Album For Streamers

Riot Games, creators of League of Legends, published an album filled with lo-fi sounds on Friday, allowing gamers to stream their games while listening to music that does not infringe on copyright regulations. Sessions:Vi is a collection of 37 ambient songs created in collaboration with artists such as Chromonicci and Junior State. It is available on major streaming services such as Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. The album's release is in reaction to growing dissatisfaction among gamers who wish to broadcast their gameplay but can be kicked off platforms like Twitch for copyright infringement if the games contain copyrighted material.

That concludes today's update. For article links, see the show notes, or go to MusicIndustryCity.com and listen to the Music News Power Hour live in Clubhouse or on the website at 12 p.m. Eastern.

Have a great day!

Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, Jennifer Hudson Announced For Central Park Concert

Plans for New York City's "mega-concert," which will feature performances by many musical giants in Central Park to commemorate the city's post-coronavirus rebirth, have begun to take shape. Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday that Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, and Jennifer Hudson will play at  the event, which was announced in early June as part of New York City's Homecoming Week. When the performance was first announced, Clive Davis, who is booking it, claimed it will feature eight performers performing over three hours for a physical audience of 60,000 and a global livestream.

Company set for Britney Spears’ co-conservatorship backs out after learning of her objection

The wealth management firm that was to become the co-conservator of Britney Spears' estate with her father James has requested to withdraw from it. Bessemer Trust, which manages more than $100 billion in assets across its portfolio, requested to resign from the agreement in a new court document filed on July 1. Bessemer Trust alleges in its court statement that it was told Britney's conservatorship was voluntary and that she had agreed to the business functioning as co-conservator.

GOVERNMENT PREPARING TO OFFER LIVE EVENTS INSURANCE FROM 19 JULY

During DCMS Parliamentary Questions on July 1, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport stated that the Government intends to provide cancellation insurance for the live event sector beginning July 19, if the commercial market is unable to provide it.

He did not, however, say whether event reopening instructions would be provided in the near future. 

We’ll talk more about this in the Music News Power Hour live on Clubhouse and on MusicIndustryCity.com at 12 p.m. Eastern.

In Musical Chairs…

BRIAN NOLAN APPOINTED EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND EVP, MARKETING AT MOTOWN RECORDS

Nolan joins the senior leadership team of the UMG-owned label in his new job.

He will assist in the company's direction while also directing Motown's marketing teams and activities. Nolan will report to Ethiopia Habtemariam, Chairman & CEO of Motown, a position she has held since March. In 2017, Nolan was Executive Vice President (EVP) of Capitol Music Group (CMG) and Head of seventeenfifty, where he oversaw a number of marketing collaborations and campaigns for a wide range of artists.

And in music tech news…

DistroKid adds d.i.y. Dolby Atmos distribution to Apple Music, TIDAL

While Tunecore has stated that it is working on adding spatial audio distribution, DistroKid is the first major service to offer it to the DIY creator community. AvidPlay, a much smaller DIY distributor, added the ability to post Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio recordings to Amazon and Tidal in July. DistroKid artists simply select Dolby Atmos delivery from their dashboard and pay a one-time cost.

That concludes today's update. For article links, see the show notes, or go to MusicIndustryCity.com and listen to the Music News Power Hour live in Clubhouse or on the website at 12 p.m. Eastern.

Have a great weekend!

Imagine Dragons Announce Highly Anticipated New Album, ‘Mercury: Act I’

The band have revealed their new album, Mercury: Act I, will be released on September 3rd. For a time, the band has been teasing new music, first stating that a new song, "Wrecked," would be released on Friday, July 2. The band also made a variety of special retail products available for pre-order, including hats, t-shirts, box sets, and Mercury vinyl versions. While they have been working on their new album, they have also released a plethora of new music and announced a number of festival dates.

Valerie Simpson, Roberta Flack Among First Women Songwriters Hall of Fame Inductees

They were among the first class of inductees into the Women Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Deniece Williams, Tawatha Agee, and Naomi Judd were among those recognized. The event took place on June 25 in Washington, D.C.'s National Museum of Women in the Arts.

Janice McLean DeLoatch, an entrepreneur and composer, founded the awards to address the gender disparity in the long-established Songwriters Hall of Fame.

According to Vanity Fair, only 31 of the 439 entrants over the past five decades have been women.

CROSS-PARTY GROUP OF 22 MPS CALL ON PM TO URGENTLY HELP LIVE MUSIC INDUSTRY

22 MPs from across the political spectrum have joined forces to urge the Prime Minister and Government to take steps, such as extending VAT relief on ticket revenue and giving live event insurance, to assist the UK's live music business in recovering from the pandemic.

The MPs have signed a Commons Early Day Motion emphasizing the critical support required by the music sector, which contributed £5.8 billion to the economy before the pandemic.

In addition to emphasizing that many freelancers and self-employed workers, who account for roughly three-quarters of the 200,000 in the music industry, have been out of work since March 2020, they stated that approximately 70% of musicians have lost more than three-quarters of their work due to Covid-19 restrictions.

We’ll talk more about this in the Music News Power Hour live on Clubhouse and on MusicIndustryCity.com at 12 p.m. Eastern.

SBA Has Delivered $1 Billion in Shuttered Venue Grants

The Small Business Administration has delivered $1 billion in Shuttered Venue Operator Grant funds to the accounts of independent promoters, venues, movie theaters and more. The SBA has seen a faster rollout of award notifications in the past two weeks after failing to deliver all Priority 1 businesses in the first 14 days.

In Musical Chairs…

CHRISTIAN JOHNSON PROMOTED TO SENIOR DIRECTOR OF A&R AT HIPGNOSIS SONGS GROUP

Based in Los Angeles, Johnson joined the Big Deal Music Group in 2018 as the assistant to Co-President Casey Robison which was acquired by Hipgnosis Songs Fund last year.

In his new role as Senior Director of A&R, Johnson will work across the company’s growing domestic and international roster of songwriters & producers which includes John Ryan (Maroon 5, One Direction, Niall Horan), Julian Bunetta (Thomas Rhett, Clean Bandit, Niall Horan, One Direction), Steph Jones (Selena Gomez, Kelsea Ballerini, P!nk, John K) and more.

And in music tech news…

Live streamer Mandolin adds $12M in funding

Music live streaming service Mandolin has closed a $12M Series A funding round, co-led by 645 Ventures and Foundry Group, with returning investments from High Alpha and TIME Ventures.

Given the rapid return of live music, the investment is as a major VC endorsement of music livestreaming and of Mandolin as the player to watch.

That concludes today's update. For article links, see the show notes, or go to MusicIndustryCity.com and listen to the Music News Power Hour live in Clubhouse or on the website at 12 p.m. Eastern.

Have a great day!

Justin Vernon and Aaron Dessner’s Big Red Machine Announce New Album 

Big Red Machine will drop their newest studio set on August 27th. The album features Taylor Swift, Fleet Foxes, Sharon Van Etten, and more. As a preview the band is offering the new song "Latter Days" with Anaïs Mitchell. This will be Big Red Machine's second album following their eponymous debut in 2018.

PITCHFORK MUSIC FESTIVAL TO MAKE LONDON DEBUT

Pitchfork Music Festival will take place in London for the first time from November 10-14. The multi-venue event will be held at the Roundhouse, Southbank Centre, Oslo, Village Underground and Moth Club. Mykki Blanco, Bobby Gillespie & Jenny Beth, Iceage and Cassandra Jenkins are among the acts due to perform.

Brexit minister Lord Frost: Visa-free touring for artists 'deprives us of control over immigration'

Lord Frost negotiated the UK's EU trade deal at the end of 2020 which did not provide any provision for visa-free touring. He told MPS: "Sadly, the EU wouldn't accept that. That's just the reality of the way these negotiations went" But he admitted there were concerns about a visa waiver proposal by the EU for 'ad hoc' performances.

We’ll talk more about this in the Music News Power Hour live on Clubhouse and on MusicIndustryCity.com at 12 p.m. Eastern.

In Musical Chairs…

NAS’S MASS APPEAL HIRES JESSICA RIVERA AS GENERAL MANAGER, MUSIC AND JENYA MEGGS AS SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF CONTENT

Mass Appeal has announced two new positions at the company. Jessica Rivera and Jenya Meggs will serve as the General Manager, Music and Senior Vice President of Content respectively. In this role, Rivera will oversee creative and day-to-day operations of Mass Appeal's music division; label, publishing and contributing across the company's other two divisions in content and creative services. Working with the company's Chief Creative Officer Sacha Jenkins, Meggs will spearhead programming strategies and partnerships for Mass Appeal.

And in music tech news…

Beatport Launches Mainstage, a New Genre Inspired by the Festival Experience

Beatport has launched a new dedicated genre page that unites Big Room, Electro House, and Future House into one all-encompassing category: Mainstage. Beatport Hype will also be added to the new category. The new category will allow for the creation of a Beatport hype section. Beatport says, We feel that this move will benefit our customers, artists, and labels by making this music easier to locate.

That concludes today's update. For article links, see the show notes, or go to MusicIndustryCity.com and listen to the Music News Power Hour live in Clubhouse or on the website at 12 p.m. Eastern.

Have a great day!

Halsey announces new album produced by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross

Halsey has announced her fourth album. 'If I Can't Have Love, I Want Power' is due out in 2020. It will be produced by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. There is currently no exact release date for the record.

Mogwai Announces April 2022 North American Tour

Mogwai just unveiled the routing for a tour that starts in April at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C. The group is supporting its 10th studio album, As The Love Continues, which was released in February. The North American outing is filled with gigs at iconic clubs and theaters. Tickets go on sale Wednesday, June 30 at 9 a.m.

MelodyVR ended 2020 with 325k users… and a £26m operating loss

Music startup, MelodyVR, has acquired Napster's moniker since its merger.  However, it released financial data for its last full year prior to the transaction, which ended on December 28, 2020.  The firm nearly doubled its user base to 325,000 and sold 40,000 concert tickets for Liam Gallagher concert. However, its cost of sales increased from £1.8 million to £5.6 million, and administrative expenditures were more than 27 times the company's revenues.

We’ll talk more about this in the Music News Power Hour live on Clubhouse and on MusicIndustryCity.com at 12 p.m. Eastern.

In Musical Chairs…

DAN GOLDBERG, SVP OF WARNER MUSIC ARTIST SERVICES, TO EXIT WMG AFTER 12 YEARS

The SVP oversaw Warner’s e-commerce, tour merchandising, VIP Experiences, ticketing, and fan club businesses. In an email to employees, the executive says he'll be exploring an "exciting new opportunity." His final day will be Friday, July 2. He has worked with the firm since March 2014.

And in music tech news…

Deezer and Firestone join forces to promote new artists

Firestone has created an official playlist called Newcomer on Deezer. The playlist will consist of 57 songs from promising new and rising musicians. Firestone will support the campaign with audio and display advertising, as well as extensive promotional activities via their own channels. Every month between now and December 2021, a new official Firestone's playlist will be released on Deezer.

That concludes today's update. For article links, see the show notes, or go to MusicIndustryCity.com and listen to the Music News Power Hour live in Clubhouse or on the website at 12 p.m. Eastern.

Have a great day!

Lion Babe share dazzling new single ‘Get Up’ featuring Trinidad James

Two months after announcing the release of their third album, the duo's new song is called 'Get Up' and features singer Jillian Hervey. It will be the follow-up to their 2019 album, 'Cosmic Wind', which spawned the singles 'Western World' featuring Wu-Tang Clan's Raekwon.

Marilyn Manson will turn himself in to police following assault allegations

Manson has agreed to turn himself in to face accusations of an alleged assault he committed at one of his performances in 2019. Two Class A misdemeanor assault charges will cover a maximum of one year in prison and a possible fine of $2,000. A warrant was issued for Manson in May when it was reported that he assaulted a videographer while on tour.

'No Substantial Outbreaks': UK Government Publishes Events Research Programme Findings

The UK government's Events Research Programme (ERP) found 28 instances of Covid-19 at various public events. Of these cases, 11 were determined to be infectious and 17 were discovered in the vicinity of an event or near where people gathered like a sports tournament for instance. One such case was with Circus nightclub which hosted roughly 7,000 guests over two nights while another example is The World Snooker Championship  which had 6 reported infections out of 10 thousand attendees during its 17 day span.

We’ll talk more about this in the Music News Power Hour live on Clubhouse and on MusicIndustryCity.com at 12 p.m. Eastern.

Courtney Love Accuses Olivia Rodrigo of Copying Hole Album Cover Concept for 'Sour Prom' Photos

Courtney Love has called out Olivia Rodrigo for "stealing an original idea" from her. The former Hole singer brought to light the similarities between the cover art of the band's 1994 album, Live Through This, and Rodrigo's new promotional images for her upcoming Sour Prom Concert Film. Both images show what appears to be an emotional prom queen who's wearing a tiara.

In Musical Chairs…

SIMON JOHNSON NAMED MANAGING DIRECTOR OF STRATEGY, GROWTH AND ECOMMERCE AT UNIVERSAL MUSIC UK

Universal hired Johnson to oversee their whole eCommerce strategy. After six years in a variety of leadership roles in Europe, he joins Universal Music UK from Amazon. Recently, he handled the books/Kindle business throughout the UK, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain alongside Amazon subsidiary Book Depository.

That concludes today's update. For article links, see the show notes, or go to MusicIndustryCity.com and listen to the Music News Power Hour live in Clubhouse or on the website at 12 p.m. Eastern.

Have a great day!

Journey Return with New Single “The Way We Used To Be”

Journey has released their first new music since 2011 with "The Way We Used To Be." The song is the band's debut release with their new lineup, which includes American Idol bassist Randy Jackson. It envisions a world in which the COVID-19 epidemic has been eradicated. Neal Schon, the band's founding member and lead guitarist, said in a statement that the song represents a "complete new beginning chapter."

LIL BABY IS YOUR 2021 ASCAP SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR

The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) named Lil Baby Songwriter of the Year for 2021. The Voice Of The Heroes, his collaboration with Lil Durk, was another No. 1 record for the Quality Control leader. Cardi B and Quavo have already won the prize.

Final £300million of Culture Recovery Fund to help save venues and festivals announced by government

 This is in an effort to assist artistic spaces and institutions that have been closed or restricted due to ongoing coronavirus closures and limitations. This resulted in the cancellation of almost 4,000 events in England's grassroots music venues over the next few weeks, with a total loss of £36 million. Meanwhile, nightclub executives are threatening mass evictions in the absence of immediate funding and clarification.

We’ll talk more about this in the Music News Power Hour live on Clubhouse and on MusicIndustryCity.com at 12 p.m. Eastern.

UNIVERSAL INKS GLOBAL DEAL WITH SNAP INC. SPANNING RECORDED MUSIC AND AUGMENTED REALITY EXPERIENCES

UMG has agreed to a multi-year deal with Snapchat to allow users to include music in their Snaps. According to the terms of the arrangement, UMG's full recorded music collection will be available globally in Snapchat's Sounds service. In addition, the business is creating augmented reality music Lens content with the company's artists.

In Musical Chairs…

MANUEL MARTOS APPOINTED GENERAL MANAGER OF VIRGIN MUSIC LABEL & ARTIST SERVICES IN SPAIN

He will be based in Madrid and will report to Victor González, President of Virgin Music Latin America and the Iberian Peninsula. He has been the Artistic Director of Universal Music Spain since 2017 and has previously worked as an artist, composer, artistic producer, and advisor.

And in music tech news…

The Sims is getting an in-game music festival with Simlish songs

It's the latest game to incorporate a virtual concert, but there's a twist. Some of the songs will be performed in Simlish, a fictitious language. It will be fronted by Bebe Rexha, who will perform her single "Sabotage" in Simlish. Players will be able to explore the festival space, design new outfits, and purchase products in addition to listening to music.

That concludes today's update. For article links, see the show notes, or go to MusicIndustryCity.com and listen to the Music News Power Hour live in Clubhouse or on the website at 12 p.m. Eastern.

Have a great weekend!

Bastille has a New Single and Video

Bastille's new single "Distorted Light Beam" is out now. The song is the first taster from the band's upcoming fourth album, which has yet to be named. Ryan Tedder and the band's long-time collaborator Mark Crew co-wrote and co-produced the song. The multi-award-winning British band reflects how we are all changing and how we may change our realities.

Titus Andronicus Announce North American Tour to Celebrate 10th Anniversary of The Monitor

On the 15-city tour, which begins in November, the indie rockers will perform their 2010 breakthrough album in its entirety. Later this year, the band will reissue The Monitor on vinyl for the 10th anniversary. There will also be a limited quantity of pressings with the out-of-print embossed cover.

Tomorrowland Declares 2021 Festival Officially Canceled

Organizers of a big dance festival in Boom, Belgium, said they don't want to "engage in a legal battle" over a permit denial by local politicians. Last Monday, local officials denied the festival a licence to hold the two-weekend event, which attracts up to 75,000 visitors every day. "We have no choice but to postpone Tomorrowland's 16th edition until next year," organizers declared.

We’ll talk more about this in the Music News Power Hour live on Clubhouse and on MusicIndustryCity.com at 12 p.m. Eastern.

Britney Spears Asks Judge To Free Her From Conservatorship

"I want to end this conservatorship without being evaluated," Spears stated. The request comes with her first statements in open court during its 13-year existence. "I deserve to have a life," she says of her father and the others who have influence over it. She claims she wants to marry her boyfriend, Sam Asghari, and have a child, but the conservator will not let it.

In Musical Chairs…

ERICKA COULTER JOINS WARNER RECORDS AS SVP OF A&R

She will report to Warner Music Group Co-Chairman & CEO Aaron Bay-Schuck. Coulter was most recently Epic Records' VP of A&R. She is also the founder/creator of TheBasement Series, a live performance platform for rising signed and unsigned talent. 

And in music tech news…

New Music Experience NFT Platform Atlanticus launches & drops Exclusive Paul Oakenfold ‘Magna Carta’ NFT

By utilizing the blockchain and NFT technology, Atlanticus offers the freedom for any artists in the world to share instantly their tracks, albums, DJ sets, videos, music experiences and any music related creation they may think of with their fans and other music lovers. It creates a way for artists to address their communities directly, and for music lovers to own rare, unique and exclusive creations, numbered and digitally signed on the blockchain.

That concludes today's update. For article links, see the show notes, or go to MusicIndustryCity.com and listen to the Music News Power Hour live in Clubhouse or on the website at 12 p.m. Eastern.

Have a great day!

Low Announce New Album Hey What and 2022 Tour

Low have announced their next studio album, Hey What, which will be released on September 10th on Sub Pop. Check out the video for the first track, "Days Like These," directed by Karlos Rene Ayala. A tour has also been announced by the band.

Tame Impala Announce Rescheduled 2021 North American Tour Dates

It will begin this September at Bonnaroo. Tickets for the rescheduling dates will be honored, and refunds will be exchanged for canceled dates. The group's last album, The Slow Rush, was released in February 2020.

SONY MUSIC BUYS MAJORITY STAKE IN TODD MOSCOWITZ’S ALAMO RECORDS FOR NINE-FIGURE SUM

Sony Music Entertainment has announced yet another significant acquisition, this time in the area of hip-hop and pop music in the US. Todd Moscowitz's Alamo Records has been acquired by the corporation for a majority interest. According to sources, the sale was for a nine-figure sum, with Sony paying comfortably north of $125 million.

DAMON DASH INSISTS HE’S ENTITLED TO SELL SHARE OF JAY Z’S REASONABLE DOUBT AS NFT – DESPITE BEING SUED BY ROC-A-FELLA RECORDS

Damon Dash, a co-founder of Roc-A-Fella Records, is being sued for allegedly trying to sell a part of Jay-Z's debut album Reasonable Doubt as an NFT. According to the lawsuit, which was filed in New York on June 18, Dash intended to collaborate with NFT platform SuperFarm to hold an online auction for the album's copyright on June 23.

We’ll talk more about this in the Music News Power Hour live on Clubhouse and on MusicIndustryCity.com at 12 p.m. Eastern.

In Musical Chairs…

Recording Academy Restructures Leadership With New Co-Presidents

The Recording Academy will have its own CEO and president – or presidents. Valeisha Butterfield Jones, who was appointed as the academy's first chief diversity, equity, and inclusion officer in May 2020, will continue in her current role. Panos A. Panay, who developed and led Sonicbids before joining the academy from Berklee, will also serve as chief revenue officer.

And in music tech news…

Audio Streaming Platform Beatstream Fully Launches with New Partnerships & Features

The unique audio technology enables venues, DJs, and performers to maximize ticket revenue long after the doors reopen. During Beatstream's first debut, they ran successful trials streaming with The Happy Mondays, Shed Seven, The Blossoms, and others. The app presently has over 50,000 users in 24 countries.

That concludes today's update. For article links, see the show notes, or go to MusicIndustryCity.com and listen to the Music News Power Hour live in Clubhouse or on the website at 12 p.m. Eastern.

Have a great day!

Bullet for My Valentine Announce Self-Titled New Album

Bullet for My Valentine's new album will arrive October 22nd. The band has released the video for lead single "Knives". It is their seventh LP and represents the peak of their definitive sound. Vocalist and guitarist Matt Tuck calls it an evolution for the band. He says the music is "more visceral and passionate than it's ever been"

FROM THE FIELDS LAUNCHES DIVERSITY INITIATIVE TARGETING TRAINEE PROMOTERS

SHOUT, a training project, has been created by the Manchester-based production agency behind the Kendall Calling and bluedot events. It is open to two young aspiring promoters from black, Asian, and minority ethnic backgrounds. From the Fields also hosts Arts by the Sea and Youth Music's new £2 million incubator fund, which is funded by the People's Postcode Lottery.

Roc-A-Fella sues Damon Dash over attempted sale of JAY-Z’s ‘Reasonable Doubt’ as an NFT

Dash claims the lawsuit is riddled of errors and that he is seeking to sell his shares in Roc A Fella, not the record. The label claims that Dash cannot legally release Jay's debut album from 1996 since the label owns the rights to it.

In Musical Chairs…

Sean 'Diddy' Combs Signs With WME, Starts Development Program for Underrepresented Students

Diddy and Endeavor have formed a partnership to diversify the music industry. The Excellence Program aspires to be one of the most comprehensive virtual development programs for aspiring entertainment executives. The program, which begins on July 12, will be free and open to any eligible students interested in a career in entertainment, marketing, music, or fashion. The six-week curriculum will feature seminars on touring and performing, professional growth, the entertainment industry, and storytelling.

DONE DEAL: PERSHING SQUARE SPAC IS BUYING 10% OF UNIVERSAL MUSIC GROUP FOR $4BN

Pershing Square Tontine Holdings has confirmed that it has entered into a binding deal with Vivendi to acquire 10% of the outstanding ordinary shares in UMG for roughly $4 billion. Shares will be allocated to PSTH shareholders later this year, once Vivendi completes the previously announced offering of UMG on Euronext Amsterdam.

We’ll talk more about this in the Music News Power Hour live on Clubhouse and on MusicIndustryCity.com at 12 p.m. Eastern.

And in music tech news…

Apple-owned music identification and discovery app Shazam announced this week it had surpassed 1 billion Shazams per month.

Shazam has surpassed 1 billion monthly recognitions and successfully matched over 50 billion tags with over 51 million songs. Apple highlighted its plans for Shazam's future at WWDC this week, with the release of ShazamKit, which brings Shazam's audio identification capabilities to third-party apps.

That concludes today's update. For article links, see the show notes, or go to MusicIndustryCity.com and listen to the Music News Power Hour live in Clubhouse or on the website at 12 p.m. Eastern.

Have a great day!

Natalie Imbruglia announces return with first new album in six years

The Australian singer has made a spectacular comeback with her return to music. She has announced the release of 'Firebird,' her first album in six years. The new project includes a slew of collaborations, including Albert Hammond Jr. of The Strokes.

Metallica, Nine Inch Nails and Guns N’ Roses to headline Hellfest 2022

Hellfest 2022 has announced its full line-up for next year. Headliners include Metallica, Nine Inch Nails, Guns N' Roses and Scorpions. The seven-day, two-weekend French festival will feature 350 bands across six stages. Deftones, Faith No More, Megadeth, Korn, Judas Priest, Deep Purple and many others are also on the bill.

In Memory...

R.I.P. Frank Bonner, WKRP in Cincinnati Actor Dead at 79

Frank Bonner, best remembered for his work on WKRP Cincinnati, died at the age of 79. Bonner had been suffering from Lewy body dementia and died on Wednesday (June 16th) as a result of complications from the disease. In all four seasons of the sitcom, he played Herb Tarlek, the plaid-suited radio station sales manager.

In Musical Chairs…

IMRAN MAJID AND JUSTIN ESHAK APPOINTED CO-CEOS OF ISLAND RECORDS

Universal Music Group describes Eshak and Majid as “one of music's most dynamic and successful artist-development teams,” and they will join Island from Sony Music's Columbia Records, where they have served as Co-Heads of A&R since 2018. Majid and Eshak's employment at Island, beginning January 1, 2022, signals a return to UMG for the two, who met in 2004 while working as A&R executives at UMG's Republic Records.

300 ENTERTAINMENT LAUNCHES INVITE-ONLY DIY DISTRIBUTION PLATFORM, SPARTA

Last year, self-releasing DIY bands made $1.2 billion globally, and 300 Entertainment, one of the most successful independent labels of the modern age, is getting in on the action. Sparta, unlike other DIY sites such as TuneCore, UnitedMasters, and Distrokid, does not allow anyone to upload music to its platform. Instead, the company uses an A&R filtration technology similar to that used by AWAL.

We’ll talk more about this in the Music News Power Hour live on Clubhouse and on MusicIndustryCity.com at 12 p.m. Eastern.

And in music tech news…

TikTok says it helps 80% of its users discover new music

TikTok has released the findings of a study it did in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain on how its users engage with music. TikTok reports that 80% of them claim "they discover new music on the platform and that it is the number #1 for music discovery." It went on to say that 56 percent of that discovery occurs in its famous For You feed.

That concludes today's update. For article links, see the show notes, or go to MusicIndustryCity.com and listen to the Music News Power Hour live in Clubhouse or on the website at 12 p.m. Eastern.

Have a great weekend!

BANKS returns with new single ‘The Devil’ from upcoming project

BANKS has released a new video titled 'The Devil.' The track's visual is reported to be inspired by Francis Ford Coppola's Dracula and the grim comedy Death Becomes Her. The song was co-written and co-produced by BANKS. BANKS said in a statement: “This video represents the twisted, surreal, and playful world that I exist in as the devil. No demon can touch me as I am not tempted by their charm. Give me a rose and I’ll eat it. You’ll just have to watch the video.

Portugal. The Man Unveil 2021 Tour Dates and Share Live EP

Portugal. The Man will kick things off in July at WonderStruck Festival. The band has also unveiled the live EP Ulu Selects Vol #1 (Live) The 12-date trek will include stops at the Alaska State Fair, as well as Governors Ball, Firefly Festival, Shaky Knees Festival, and a performance at Red Rocks. Pre-sale begins June 17th through the band’s website, with general admission kicking off June 18th.

Event Wallet is revealed

DAM Health, a leading COVID testing firm, and Health Passport Worldwide, a technology group, are now offering a solution to the UK and international markets. The service is for events where guests are required to be tested before and after the festival as a condition of admission. Data is securely saved in each individual's Health Passport Worldwide app, a system that is now being used by healthcare practitioners in Europe, Africa, and Latin America. This means that the general public will have a single app to use during testing to board the airline, visit the country, attend the event or match, and then return home using the same system.

We’ll talk more about this in the Music News Power Hour live on Clubhouse and on MusicIndustryCity.com at 12 p.m. Eastern.

In Musical Chairs…

SHERRY TAN JOINS WARNER MUSIC GROUP AS ITS HEAD OF RECORDED MUSIC BUSINESS IN MAINLAND CHINA

She joins Warner Music from Mengxing Media, a start-up company she co-founded and which serviced entertainment figures, She will be based in Beijing and report to Warner Music Greater China CEO, Jonathan Serbin. Serbin took over as CEO in November after Warner Music's former CEO, Andy Ma, stepped down barely seven months.

SONY MUSIC BUYS THE UK’S LARGEST INDEPENDENT PODCAST MAKER, SOMETHIN’ ELSE

In September of last year, the company announced plans to debut over 40 new audio series in 2020. Sony was also said to be interested in acquiring Wondery, a US-based podcast creator that was finally sold to Amazon in a $300 million-plus transaction late last year. Instead, the company has completed the acquisition of Somethin' Else, a UK-based maker of radio, TV, and social media content, expanding on an existing Sony partnership.

And in music tech news…

Music Collaboration Platform Groovesetter Debuts

Groovesetter is a real-time, multichannel audio collaboration platform that allows for streaming, performance, and recording via high-speed internet. The service, which claims to have "ultra-low latency," allows clients to connect and engage from up to eight remote locations, allowing musicians to play, stream, and record from anywhere.

That concludes today's update. For article links, see the show notes, or go to MusicIndustryCity.com and listen to the Music News Power Hour live in Clubhouse or on the website at 12 p.m. Eastern.

Have a great day!

Faith No More Announce Brief Run of 2021 US Headlining Shows

Faith No More have added three extra dates to their fall tour in the United States. The band will perform at Chicago's Riot Fest on September 18th and Slipknot's Knotfest Iowa on September 25th. Faith No More will perform alongside System of a Down, Korn, Helmet, and Russian Circles in October in a pair of rescheduled Los Angeles performances due to the COVID-19 outbreak. Tickets for the freshly announced headliner performances go on sale Friday, June 18th.

Spain Gears Up For A Return To Live — Everywhere But In Ibiza

The possibility of a summer season in Ibiza, Spain's party mecca for electronic dance music, is up in the air. Promoters and venue owners are scrambling to avert a second summer closure. Other clubs in Madrid and Barcelona are reopening, and some festivals are planned for July. Barcelona has been slower to reopen than Madrid. The majority of clubs are not likely to reopen before the end of June. Some big music festivals, including  Sonar and Primavera Sound, have postponed their activities until after the summer.

DCMS “CONSIDERING” INSURANCE AND PREPARES £300M IN FUNDING FOR LIVE EVENTS

The Department of Culture, Media, and Sport (DCMS) announced that the live events industry will receive an extra £300 million from the Cultural Recovery Fund in the near future. The government is still "exploring" an event cancellation program, according to the statement. The announcement came in response to the postponement of Step 4 of the conditional reopening roadmap from 21 June to 19 July, which has already resulted in festival cancellations.

We’ll talk more about this in the Music News Power Hour live on Clubhouse and on MusicIndustryCity.com at 12 p.m. Eastern.

In Musical Chairs…

EPIDEMIC SOUND CHAIRWOMAN VANIA SCHLOGEL JOINS HIPGNOSIS BOARD AS NON-EXEC DIRECTOR

The founder and Managing Partner of the media and entertainment-focused investment firm Atwater Capital has been appointed an independent Non-Executive Director of Hipgnosis Songs Fund. Schlogel is also Chairwoman of the Board at another of Atwater's investments – German content production and distribution company LEONINE Studios. She was previously the Chief Investment Officer of Roc Nation, and later, Tidal.

And in music tech news…

NFT Genius raises $4m to build its music NFTs marketplace

It intends to develop a marketplace for NFTs in music, sports, games, and comedy. Investors include some major names, including IT veteran Mark Cuban, actor and tech investor Ashton Kutcher. For its marketplace, NFT Genius will also use Dapper Labs' Flow blockchain. 

And finally, it’s Wednesday. That means Marina has chosen her song for the week, which will be announced in today's email.

This concludes today's update. For article links, see the show notes, or go to MusicIndustryCity.com and listen to the Music News Power Hour live in Clubhouse or on the website at 12 p.m. Eastern.

Have a great day!

OMD Announce 2022 North American Tour Dates

Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark will return to the United States next spring for their Souvenir Greatest Hits 2022 Tour. The tour will begin on April 22 in Orlando, Florida. On June 19 at 4:00 p.m. EST, OMD will also conduct a 40th Anniversary livestream. 

Nile Rodgers Launches ‘The DiscOasis’ Roller-Disco Experience In Los Angeles

Nile Rodgers has unveiled The DiscOasis, an interactive pop-up event that will run from July 16 to Labor Day in Los Angeles. The roller-disco will be open to both amateur and professional skaters. The event will benefit Nile Rodgers' We Are Family Foundation, a non-profit that promotes cultural diversity.

The Industry Unites To Launch Coalition Of Festivals

The Coalition of Festivals is a "promoter-agnostic coalition of festival producers" It aims to rebuild a stronger festival industry by sharing best practices and nurturing partnerships with social impact groups. The group considers the Coalition the beginning of the follow-through promised after George Floyd's murder and its aftermath. All festival stakeholders are invited to join the conversation and there's interest in forming a Coalition of Talent Reps including agents, managers and press.

The Jesus and Mary Chain Sue Warner Music Group for Copyright Infringement

Warner Music Group (WMG) is being sued by The Jesus and Mary Chain for copyright infringement and declaratory relief. According to the Reids, WMG has refused to relinquish its copyright ownership of the band's early work, including the legendary debut Psychocandy. They are requesting at least $2.5 million in monetary damages.

We’ll talk more about this in the Music News Power Hour live on Clubhouse and on MusicIndustryCity.com at 12 p.m. Eastern.

In Musical Chairs…

CHELSEA BLYTHE APPOINTED SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, A&R AT DEF JAM RECORDINGS

She will be in charge of current and future artist projects, as well as discovering and signing new talent. The executive from Santa Monica is the label's second West Coast recruit this week. In addition, Snoop Dogg has joined the label as an Executive Creative and Strategic Consultant.

And in music tech news…

Bandcamp to hold its second annual Juneteenth fundraiser

Bandcamp will organize its second annual fundraising for 'Juneteenth,' the US anniversary commemorating the emancipation of enslaved people. Last year, in response to the killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, Bandcamp sponsored a one-day charity sale. According to the company's CEO, there is "still more work to be done" on racial parity.

This concludes today's update. For article links, see the show notes, or go to MusicIndustryCity.com and listen to the Music News Power Hour live in Clubhouse or on the website at 12 p.m. Eastern.

Have a great day!

KISS Debut New Doc ‘Biography: KISStory,’ Perform Outdoor Concert At Tribeca Film Festival

At the Tribeca Film Festival premiere of their new documentary Biography: KISStory, KISS performed a mini-concert. It was the band's first show in over a year. The documentary will air on A&E on June 27 and 28.

Lollapalooza is Giving Out Free Passes to Vaccinated Residents

The city of Chicago's health department will distribute 1,200 single-day Lollapalooza passes to vaccinated residents. Anyone who schedules an appointment for June 26th at one of the participating locations will receive a free pass. If you've previously been vaccinated, the City of Chicago's Department of Public Health will post a link to passes on their social media channels and website next week.

IN HISTORIC MOVE, SONY MUSIC IS DISREGARDING UNRECOUPED BALANCES FOR HERITAGE CATALOG ARTISTS

Sony Music Entertainment has announced the establishment of the Legacy Unrecouped Balance Program, a new program under “Artists Forward.” Sony will effectively write off unrecouped balances for qualifying artists in the future. Artists who last received a Sony Music advance before 2000 will now see streaming and other royalty earnings arrive in their bank account on a regular basis.

We’ll talk more about this in the Music News Power Hour live on Clubhouse and on MusicIndustryCity.com at 12 p.m. Eastern.

In Musical Chairs…

Atlantic Names Kevin Holiday as EVP of Black Music Promotion.

Holiday will be in charge of Atlantic's radio promotion strategy and campaigns, as well as leading the label's national and regional Black Music promotion teams. During his tenure, he has played a key role in the careers of Cardi B, Lizzo, Roddy Ricch, and Silk Sonic.

And in music tech news…

PlayTreks Simplifies The Music Industry With Blockchain-Based Music Distribution And AI-driven Data Analytics

The decentralized marketplace will provide many extra benefits to artists while also enhancing the overall proposal. The platform will provide additional cash streams for musicians, whether they are independent or signed to a record label. PlayTreks will issue its own cryptocurrency, TREKS, which will be used to fund all new features in the artist data dashboard.

This concludes today's update. For article links, see the show notes, or go to MusicIndustryCity.com and listen to the Music News Power Hour live in Clubhouse or on the website at 12 p.m. Eastern.

Have a great day!

Lorde Returns with New Single “Solar Power” Featuring Clairo and Phoebe Bridgers

The query has been resolved. Lorde's Solar Power tease is both the name of her new song and the title of her upcoming album. In an email sent to fans, Lorde revealed that her third album will also be called Solar Power. She describes the album as, “a celebration of the natural world, an attempt at immortalizing the deep, transcendent feelings I have when I’m outdoors,”

John Legend, Common, Mariah Carey Urge Fans to #Calloutyoursenators to Save For the People Act

The bill is intended to stem the tide of voter suppression that is sweeping the country. In a viral effort to rescue the anti-voter suppression For the People Act, the stars are pushing followers to #calloutyoursenator. The campaign is urging a bipartisan group of four U.S. senators to support the law, which has already passed the House and is pending, but in jeopardy, in the Senate.

Metallica File Insurance Suit Against Lloyd’s of London for Losses Suffered from Pandemic-Postponed Shows

Metallica's lawsuit claims breach of contract and seeks unspecified compensatory damages. The lawsuit further details that Metallica bought a standard “cancellation, abandonment and non-appearance insurance” policy in order to cover their losses if any portion of the tour was postponed or canceled, and that the band “timely turned to [Lloyd’s] for the promised and reasonably expected coverage for their losses.”

Young Creators Are Burning Out and Breaking Down

Many people who have found fame on TikTok are struggling with mental health issues and many have “lost the passion” for posting content. Creators are saying that when they do try to speak out on being bullied or burned out or not being treated as human, the comments all say, ‘You’re an influencer, get over it.’”

We’ll talk more about this in the Music News Power Hour live on Clubhouse and on MusicIndustryCity.com at 12 p.m. Eastern.

In Musical Chairs…

Lyte Adds Jorgen Bocklage As CFO

He was previously the CFO and SVP of Operations of MealPal. As CFO at Lyte, he will strengthen the company's ties with investors, lenders, and strategic partners, while also assisting the executive team in overseeing financial projects, accounting, and operations.

And in music tech news…

Amazon Music gets more radio-like with new ‘DJ Mode’

It is described as an “on-demand listening experience that combines the personalisation, control, and breadth of catalog of streaming with the vibrancy and personality of DJ-hosted radio”.

It's based on playlists, first Amazon's 'Rap Rotation,' 'Country Heat,' and 'All Hits,' with tracks personalized to each listener's taste, snippets from DJ hosts and musicians, and music facts and trivia from the Alexa voice assistant.

This concludes today's update. For article links, see the show notes, or go to MusicIndustryCity.com and listen to the Music News Power Hour live in Clubhouse or on the website at 12 p.m. Eastern.

Have a great weekend!

On Saturday, Backstreet Boys member AJ McLean and *NSYNC's Chris Kirkpatrick presented a new collaborative single, "Air," in Las Vegas. ATCK (All the Cool Kids), the singers' side band, provided the dance tune 

The musicians' desire to continue working together demonstrates how far they've gone since the heyday of boy band mania in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when there was frequently tremendous competition and competitiveness.

Ronnie James Dio’s Cancer Charity Plans Star-Studded Virtual Fundraiser

On what would have been Ronnie James Dio's 79th birthday, July 10, the Ronnie James Dio Stand Up and Shout Cancer Fund will host a star-studded virtual fundraiser.

In addition to historical footage of Dio from throughout his career, the event will include guest performances, interviews, and birthday greetings from many of his friends and family.

For the Music Producers...

Arturia releases FX Collection 2 - All-in-one Production Suite

Each effect has been hand-picked, precisely modeled, and creatively enhanced - giving you everything you need to properly mix, master, and modify any part of your sound.

ROBLOX SUED FOR $200M+ BY MUSIC PUBLISHERS, WHO ALLEGE COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT

The National Music Publishers' Association (NMPA) is representing a group of indie and large music publishers that are suing video gaming platform Roblox in the United States for more than $200 million in damages, alleging rampant copyright infringement by the corporation.

We’ll talk more about this in the Music News Power Hour live on Clubhouse and on MusicIndustryCity.com at 12 p.m. Eastern.

Biden Administration Rescinds Trump’s TikTok Ban

On Wednesday, President Joe Biden issued an executive order rescinding a Trump-era ban on the popular video-sharing app TikTok due to alleged national security concerns. Instead, his administration would evaluate apps with ties to China and other “foreign adversaries.”

In Musical Chairs...

FACEBOOK EXEC ELLA KIRBY JOINS TIKTOK AS HEAD OF MUSIC PUBLISHING LICENSING & PARTNERSHIPS

The executive joins the ByteDance-owned video platform after serving as Facebook's Music Publishing Business Development Lead in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa for over three and a half years.

Ikonick Signs NFT Licensing Deal With Bravado, Universal Music Group’s Merchandise Unit 

Ikonick, a leading digital art brand, has partnered with Bravado, Universal Music Group's global merchandising and brand management organization, to manufacture, sell, and distribute canvas art and NFTs from their large roster of artists.

This concludes today's update. For article links, see the show notes, or go to MusicIndustryCity.com and listen to the Music News Power Hour live in Clubhouse or on the website at 12 p.m. Eastern.

I’ll see you tomorrow.

J. Cole, Lil Baby, 50 Cent, And More Set To Perform At Rolling Loud New York

The date for Rolling Loud New York 2021 has been set for October 28-30 at Citi Field in Queens. The festival was one of the most successful Rolling Loud festivals to date when it first visited New York in 2019.

MARSHMELLO'S NEW ALBUM INFO LEAKS ON APPLE MUSIC

Mello's fourth studio album appears to be on the way after a coincidental Apple Music leak disclosed its title, release date, and tracklist. Shockwave, the album, will be available for streaming on Friday, June 11th.

LIVE NATION TO PRODUCE NEW YORK REOPENING CONCERT IN CENTRAL PARK

New York City Mayor Bill Blasio has enlisted the help of Live Nation and Clive Davis to plan a 60,000-person live music extravaganza in Central Park to commemorate the city’s reopening.

The concert will be mostly free, with select VIP passes available for purchase. According to the New York Times, the event would feature sections for vaccinated and unvaccinated spectators, with approximately 70% of tickets going to vaccinated persons.

The three-hour event's list of performances has yet to be confirmed.

Ariana Grande ‘7 Rings’ Copyright Infringement Lawsuit Dismissed With Prejudice

In the initial case, Josh Stone – known professionally as DOT – claimed that Ariana Grande had infringed on his 2017 single "You Need It I Got It" in her 2019 hit "7 Rings."

A March 2021 filing stated that the parties involved had settled the matter – however the contents of this settlement (which might involve Stone receiving a piece of future “7 Rings” royalties or, potentially, receiving no compensation at all) were not made public.

We’ll talk more about this in the Music News Power Hour live on Clubhouse and on MusicIndustryCity.com at 12 p.m. Eastern.

In Musical Chairs…

Dick Clark Productions President Amy Thurlow to Exit

At the end of June, she will step down as president of Billboard Music Awards producer Dick Clark Productions.

Thurlow, who has been with DCP since 2014 and has served as president for the past year, is leaving to pursue other possibilities. Her departure comes as Dick Clark Productions, which produces numerous major award ceremonies, including the Golden Globes, has seen viewership for such programs plummet during the pandemic.

Vinyl buyers are now younger and more diverse

Ahead of the first Record Store Day of the year this Saturday, the event's organizers have disclosed some findings from a recent study from the people behind the more than 140 independent record stores participating this year.

Two-thirds of those polled reported a significant increase in the number of young people purchasing vinyl, a trend that has helped vinyl sales in the UK continue to climb in recent years. According to organizers, 75,000 vinyl albums were sold in the UK in 2008, compared to five million in 2020. In addition, vinyl sales increased by 46 percent in the first half of this year compared to the same period last year.

This concludes today's update. For article links, see the show notes, or go to MusicIndustryCity.com and listen to the Music News Power Hour live in Clubhouse or on the website at 12 p.m. Eastern.

I’ll see you tomorrow.

Lorde Teases New Music with Solar Power Artwork

Although it is unknown whether Solar Power is a song or an album, Lorde has teased her fans by updating her website with new artwork. Consider me intrigued.

Deadmau5 Announces Summer Tour

The seven-city tour begins on July 1st in Aspen and concludes on July 24th in Atlanta, including a two-night stop in Brooklyn, NY. Speaking of Deadmau5

EDC Announces massive 200-Plus Lineup

After a few false-starts, EDC is officially set for Oct. 22-24, with more than 200 top electronic artists including Alison Wonderland, The Chainsmokers, Martin Garrix, Deadmau5, Kaskade, Zedd and many others.

EDC promises larger-than-life stages, top-notch production and new collabs. 

Kid Rock loses it at his show.

During a concert at a Tennessee pub this past Saturday, Kid Rock launched into a rage over fans photographing him with smartphones and openly yelling out a homophobic slur.

HIPGNOSIS SONGS FUND NOW OWNS A MUSIC CATALOG WORTH OVER $2.2 BILLION

Hipgnosis has acquired 84 catalogs for little over a billion dollars in the last year. Now, they manage 64,555 tracks across 138 collections as of the end of March 2021.

We’ll talk more about this in the Music News Power Hour live on Clubhouse and on MusicIndustryCity.com at 12 p.m. Eastern.

In Musical Chairs…

SNOOP DOGG JOINS DEF JAM AS EXECUTIVE CREATIVE AND STRATEGIC CONSULTANT

He will serve as a senior strategic advisor with an emphasis on A&R and creative development in his new position.

And finally, in Tech News...

Apple announces Spatial Audio for iOS 15 Rollout

The next operating system will contain a slew of new features, including Dolby Atmos support in Apple Music and spatial audio in Facetime. To experience Dolby Atmos, make sure your AirPods have a W1 or H1 chip.

And that concludes today's update. For article links, see the show notes, or go to MusicIndustryCity.com and listen to the Music News Power Hour live in Clubhouse or on the website at 12 p.m. Eastern.

I’ll see you tomorrow.

WME has signed Richie Hawtin, who performs as Plastikman, as a global client in all areas.

Dubbed by The New York Times as "one of the electronic dance world's intellectual forces," the British-born, Canadian-raised DJ pioneered the international spread and growth of electronic and techno music. The agency will build out his business across music, technology, fashion, art, education and gaming.

John Mayer Releases New Song “Last Train Home” Featuring Maren Morris

The new song, which comes with a video, is the latest preview of his next album, Sob Rock, which will be released on July 16th by Columbia Records.

Mayer will also be back on the road with the Grateful Dead supergroup Dead & Company. The 31-date tour kicks off on August 16th.

CHICAGO COUNCILLOR CALLS FOR TWO 24-HOUR HOUSE MUSIC CLUBS

Chicago councillor Carlos Ramirez-Rosa has called for two 24-hour clubs that only play house music to be hosted in the city. He made the suggestion on Twitter, saying the clubs would help “tap into the international market for Chicago house music.” This one gets my full support.

Over in the UK...

Nozstock is the latest festival to cancel amid ongoing COVID uncertainty and the insurance gap

Although full-capacity events may be possible starting June 21, there is still concern that COVID restrictions may be extended or reinstated.

The festival industry has frequently requested that the UK government provide state-backed insurance options due to the lack of cancellation insurance on the private market. Ministers, on the other hand, have thus far declined to initiate such a plan, at least until any initial constraints are lifted.

We’ll talk more about this in the Music News Power Hour live on Clubhouse and on MusicIndustryCity.com at 12 p.m. Eastern.

Turntable Goes Live With New Mobile App.

Turntable (tt.fm) also known as the other Turntable has released their platform today for Desktop web, iOS and Android. “Original Turntable fans are eager to get back on the dancefloor and have been asking for a product that serves their needs, including live DJ sets, social networking with music fans, music sharing and an online music community”, says Joseph Perla, CEO of this version of Turntable. 

In Musical Chairs.

NALEDI NYAHUMA SECK JOINS THE ORCHARD AS VICE PRESIDENT OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY AND INCLUSION

Based in Los Angeles, she will report to Colleen Theis, The Orchard’s Chief Operating Officer, and will work closely with Tiffany R. Warren, Executive Vice President, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Sony Music Group, who took on the role in October.

In her newly appointed role, Nyahuma Seck will continue the company’s diversity and inclusion initiatives, and establish talent pipelines and employee development programs.

And finally, in tech news…

DELIVERY AND DISTRIBUTION PLATFORM AUDIOSALAD LAUNCHES NEW VIDEO DELIVERY SERVICE, VIDEOSALAD - it’s good to stick with a healthy brand recognition 

AudioSalad says that the new platform “aims to simplify music video distribution” and delivers short form music video in SD, HD and 4K formats to Apple, Spotify, Amazon, Vevo, TIDAL, Facebook and more. VideoSalad also provides services to assist with video encoding, preparation and style guide compliance.

And that concludes today's update. For article links, see the show notes, or go to MusicIndustryCity.com and listen to the Music News Power Hour live in Clubhouse or on the website at 12 p.m. Eastern.

We’ll see you tomorrow.

The Linda Lindas went from performing in the Los Angeles Public Library to signing with Epitaph Records a few days later - to their TV debut on Jimmy Kimmel Live in just a few weeks. Check it out. 

Gary Numan kicks off September 17 in Los Angeles for a North American tour. Stops include Austin, Houston, Atlanta, Phoenix, New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Chicago, Denver, Portland, Seattle and more.

In Musical Chairs...

From beverages to Live Music. Nicole Portwood, former Vice President of Marketing for Mountain Dew has been named to a newly created position as Live Nation’s Chief Brand Officer to strengthen artists and fan’s connection to the global concert promoter.

Drake, Shania Twain & More Petition to Change Canadian Copyright Law. The two are among other Canadian artists who have joined the Songwriters Association of Canada in petitioning Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other government figures to change the country's copyright law to give more power to artists and songwriters. Their proposed change would let creators and their families regain ownership of their copyrights 25 years after the date of transfer, instead of 25 years after the creator's death, as currently specified in the country's copyright act.

In Mergers and Acquisitions...

Reservoir Buys Tommy Boy Music for $100 Million. The label kicked off the careers of Queen Latifah, Afrika Bambaataa, Digital Underground, Coolio, De La Soul, House of Pain, Naughty By Nature, and more has found a new home. Since the 90s, Tommy Boy was sold to Warner Music, became an independent label again, re-acquired it’s past catalogue and now this. Good for Tommy! 

We’ll talk more about this Live in the Music News Power Hour at 12pm Eastern in Clubhouse and livestreamed on MusicIndustryCity.com

And finally, in tech news…

Bhad Bhabie and Lil Yachty are investing in a Jewish dating app called Lox Club. The two launched a VC fund called Scoop Investments led by manager, Adam Kluger. The app is described as “a virtual speakeasy hidden within an old-school deli”. Lox Club doesn’t rely on algorithms like traditional dating apps; rather, it uses actual human match-makers.

And that’s it for today’s update, for the article links head to MusicIndustryCity.com and tune in Live at 12pm Eastern for the Music News Power Hour in Clubhouse or right from the website.

We’ll see you tomorrow.

➡ IG: instagram.com/musicindustrycity

🗣FB: facebook.com/groups/musicindustrycity

🎤 Music Industry Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/MICForum

Thank you to all our supporters for making Music Industry City possible.

Articles Referenced:

➡ IG: instagram.com/musicindustrycity

🗣FB: facebook.com/groups/musicindustrycity

🎤 Music Industry Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/MICForum

Thank you to all our supporters for making Music Industry City possible.