Celebrity Life
Universal Music Group Is Officially SPAC Material
In an "iconic transaction," billionaire Bill Ackman's SPAC will seek to acquire 10% of Universal Music Group for approximately $4 billion
Spotify Launched ‘Discovery Mode.’ The House Judiciary Committee Has Some Questions
Congressmen asked Spotify for additional information about a "plan that could ultimately lead to further cut pay for working artists"
Lil Yachty and Bhad Bhabie’s First VC Investment Is a Jewish Dating App
The rappers are investing in Lox Club, a new dating app for "Jews with ridiculously high standards," and they hope to close several other deals in 2021
Five Months Later, Only 31 of 13,619 Music Venues Have Gotten Their Grants Approved
Only 0.2% of qualifying venues have gotten approval from the Small Business Administration so far
Coachella Announces Dates for April 2022
After a two-year hiatus, one of the world's largest music festivals will come back next year
After Delays and Snafus, Music Venues Tenuously Seeing Next Steps Toward Relief
"I’m still holding my breath," one indie concert promoter whose grant was approved says. "It took six months for this to happen, and when you have to wait that long, you lose that much trust"
Spotify Is Making a Pledge to Mentor and Market Indie Artists
The streaming service will design marketing campaigns for emerging artists under its new Fresh Finds program. Wallice, Unusual Demont, Julia Wolf, and EKKSTACY make up the freshmen class
How a Band Becomes a Happy Meal
The marketing execs of McDonald's walk through their collaborations with musicians like BTS, who inspired a new McDonald's meal and merch line out May 26th
Quincy Jones Is Backing a New NFT Marketplace for the Average Music Fan
Jones, Whitney Houston, TLC, Doja Cat, John Legend, and more will release collections on the environmentally friendlier OneOf platform, which is scheduled to launch in June
Rockstar Games and CircoLoco Are Starting a Record Label
The developer of massively popular games like Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption is partnering with the influential dance party promoter
Maybe Touring Can Return Without the Toxic Work Culture
Optimized Touring, founded by a music manager, is the latest new company to offer physical and mental health services to typically overworked artists and concert crews
Live Music Is Back. America’s Indie Venues Are No Better Off
Stalled grants and the return of big competitors are forcing America's beloved stages into further crippling debt. "It's like sitting at a red light and watching cars zoom right by us,” says one venue owner