All about the world of music from the inside

  • King & Prince just sold 1.2m physical copies of their latest album ‘Mr.5’ in its first week in Japan, becoming the market’s fastest-selling album this yearUniversal Music Japan and King & Prince have set the record for 2023’s fastest selling album in Japan
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  • Haim Saban appointed Non-Executive Director at Universal Music GroupMedia mogul was elected to the role at UMG's AGM on Thursday, May 11
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  • The global dance music industry grew by 34% in 2022Last week I was the International Music Summit in Ibiza, the annual music industry business event. This year MIDiA compiled the annual IMS Music Business Report and I presented the findings at the opening of the event. The full report is available here for download and you can view a video of the presentation here. Here are some of the key findings of the report.

    The dance music industry has long been among the first music genres to be shaped by emerging technologies, not least because technology plays such an integral role in the production and performance of dance music. This has helped ensure that dance music has ridden the waves of music industry change. But it has also always been a genre built around performance, DJing especially. So when the pandemic came, dance music felt the impact particularly keenly, with festivals, clubs and bars all being hard hit. 2020 and 2021 were thus fallow years for dance music revenues, years in which DJs struggled to perform and the global industry looked much more towards its other revenue streams. With the global opening up of 2022, the dance music industry not only grew, but ended up bigger than pre-pandemic, pointing to the growing cultural reach and impact that dance music has in today’s global music business.

    All of the key elements of the dance music business were up in 2022:

    Recorded music up 11% to $1.5 billion

    Publishing up 22% to $0.4 billion

    Music hardware, software, sounds and services up 4% to $2.8 billion

    Live up 78% to $4.5 billion

    The result was that the total revenue of the global dance music industry rose 34% in 2022 to hit $10.2 billion. 

    Hardware and software

    Music hardware, software, sounds and services represents one of dance music’s super powers. Dance music producers have always relied on these tools, but now they are becoming the mainstay of the wider music creator economy. With music software used more across all genres, dance music sounds and techniques will influence all genres

    Skills sharing and learning grew fastest, and it was worth $108 million in 2022. Plus, demand will increase still, due to fast evolving production techniques and new software

    This will be a long-term growth area for dance music, with producers constantly seeking to upskill to the fast changing world of music production tech and techniques

    Live

    In live, Ibiza club ticketing revenue reached €124 million in 2022, up 55% from the €80 million registered in 2019. This was underpinned by increases in the number of events per venue, average ticket prices, and the total number of tickets sold going from 2 million in 2019 to 2.5 million in 2022

    Globally, the top 100 DJs saw their 2022 bookings grow by around threefold on the pandemic hit 2021, though male DJs grew bookings more than half faster than their female counterparts. Female DJs represented 15% of all top 100 DJ bookings in 2022. Building popularity and getting bookings is a virtuous circle, but if female DJs are losing share of bookings to male counterparts, then the virtuous circle becomes a vicious circle.

    A bright, diversified future

    Finally, the dance music industry has shaken off the effects of the pandemic, coming out the other side, bigger, better, stronger and more relevant than ever. The pandemic shone a harsh light on the industry’s heavy-reliance on live. Now, that reliance is even higher because of live’s huge growth. There are two key differences from 2019: 1) a resurgent creator tools sector; and 2) a music publishing business that is finally beginning to find its share. The future is bright, with the rise of creator culture, bringing ever more people into dance music, both as fans and creators, with the creator-fan set to be at the centre of tomorrow’s dance music world.

  • Google launches AI text to music creation tool MusicLMGoogle has launched MusicLM, a new experimental AI tool that turns text descriptions into music. It’s still in beta, but starting today, you can sign up to try it in Google’s AI. Continue reading
    The post Google launches AI text to music creation tool MusicLM appeared first on Hypebot.

    Google has launched MusicLM, a new experimental AI tool that turns text descriptions into music. It’s still in beta, but starting today, you can sign up to try it in Google’s AI. Continue reading

  • TikTok’s new ‘Work With Artists’ could be the best way to grow quicklyTikTok is testing out a new feature where users are able to make money by including certain sounds/music in their videos, giving artists more plays and more exposure… by Bobby. Continue reading
    The post TikTok’s new ‘Work With Artists’ could be the best way to grow quickly appeared first on Hypebot.

    TikTok is testing out a new feature where users are able to make money by including certain sounds/music in their videos, giving artists more plays and more exposure… by Bobby. Continue reading

  • Learn 7 misunderstood facts about Music Copyright in 4 mins 44 secs [Bobby Borg]Copyright and protecting your songs can be daunting, but as Bobby Borg proves in this 4-minute and 44-second video, it does not have to be, Bobby Borg is an author,. Continue reading
    The post Learn 7 misunderstood facts about Music Copyright in 4 mins 44 secs [Bobby Borg] appeared first on Hypebot.

    Copyright and protecting your songs can be daunting, but as Bobby Borg proves in this 4-minute and 44-second video, it does not have to be, Bobby Borg is an author,. Continue reading

  • Runaway June Signs with Quartz Hill Records and Brown Sellers Brown MgmtRunaway June has signed with Quartz Hill Records for label and Brown Sellers Brown Management for management, effective immediately, giving the band a new home to share all of their new music on the way. On the heels of their exciting news, the trio is also announcing their upcoming single, "Make Me Wanna Smoke," a burn-it-down country rocker with blowtorch vocals and attitude to match, available everywhere on May 19.

    "We cannot wait to start this new journey with Quartz Hill Records and the amazing team there," Runaway June shares. "We couldn't ask for more passionate, talented, hardworking, true believers fighting for us. Benny Brown signed this band from the beginning, and to be together again is a dream come true. We are counting down the days until we can share the new music we are creating together with the world!"

    "It's so great to be working with Runaway June again," adds Benny Brown, Managing Partner, Brown Sellers Brown Management. "They're all so talented and I've always been a big believer in them and their music — I think this is some of the best music they've ever done and can't wait for everyone to hear it."

    On Wednesday (5/10), Runaway June members Jennifer Wayne, Natalie Stovall and Stevie Woodward appeared on the latest episode of The Bobby Bones Show, where "Make Me Wanna Smoke" exclusively premiered. During the episode, Wayne, Stovall and Woodward chatted with Bones and updated him on all things Runaway June before playing "Make Me Wanna Smoke."

    "This is a totally different vibe than what we've done in the past and it's really exciting, very edgy, more rock elements," Runaway June exclusively told Bobby Bones of the song, adding, "It has a really cool way of incorporating all of our styles into it. We're really excited about it."

    "Make Me Wanna Smoke" was written by Jason Sellers, Ella Langley, and Bobby Hamrick, the track captures a conflicted heart struggling with love it can’t quit – even when it feels like a bad habit. Produced by Mickey Jack Cones as a stomp-and-shout anthem with addictive three-part harmonies and a red-hot rhythm section, Wayne, Stovall and Woodward try their best to resist the temptation. But in the end, this is one romantic habit they just can’t escape.

    In late 2022, Runaway June kicked off their latest musical era with the relatable heartbreak rocker "BROKEN HEARTS (DO BROKEN THINGS)," which was highlighted by Billboard, Entertainment Tonight, E! News, CMT and more. The grab-your-girlfriends music video premiered across CMT along with the Paramount Times Square Billboard in New York City, streaming the groove-worthy track's message across the Big Apple.

    Runaway June is set to take their new music on the road this summer with planned stops in California, Colorado, Nashville and more. See the band's full list of tour dates here.

    Photo by: Ford Fairchild

    Runaway June has signed with Quartz Hill Records for label and Brown Sellers Brown Management for management, effective immediately, giving the band a new home to share all of their new music on th…

  • Former Spotify exec David Ecker joins Exceleration Music as Label Development ManagerRachel Cunningham also appointed to lead Fan Engagement and Commerce at Exceleration
    Source

    Rachel Cunningham also appointed to lead Fan Engagement and Commerce at Exceleration…

  • After China’s Government moves to regulate AI, TikTok sister app Douyin issues new rules for AI-generated contentThe use of AI to create copyright-infringing content is not allowed
    Source

    Douyin has issued new rules on the use AI-generated content, following new regulations put in place by the Chinese government in January.

  • Soundcloud shares strong new Creator and Track stats but no MAU updateAlongside the launch of its “Fans” direct messaging tool this week, SoundCloud shared some impressive numbers. Missing, however, were new monthly active user stats. Last year, SoundCloud had about 120. Continue reading
    The post Soundcloud shares strong new Creator and Track stats but no MAU update appeared first on Hypebot.

    Alongside the launch of its “Fans” direct messaging tool this week, SoundCloud shared some impressive numbers. Missing, however, were new monthly active user stats. Last year, SoundCloud had about 120. Continue reading

  • Drama and Controversy are cheap Marketing Strategies but do they work?It feels like we are seeing more “band drama” lately. Band members are calling each other out and making more “hot topic” comments. Drama and controversy are cheap tactics for. Continue reading
    The post Drama and Controversy are cheap Marketing Strategies but do they work? appeared first on Hypebot.

    It feels like we are seeing more “band drama” lately. Band members are calling each other out and making more “hot topic” comments. Drama and controversy are cheap tactics for. Continue reading

  • Music, AI & the Metaverse ‘offer limitless possibilities’The potential for AI to disrupt music is the topic de jour, but add the Metaverse to the mix, and the possibilities become even more mind-boggling. Guest post by Eric. Continue reading
    The post Music, AI & the Metaverse ‘offer limitless possibilities’ appeared first on Hypebot.

    The potential for AI to disrupt music is the topic de jour, but add the Metaverse to the mix, and the possibilities become even more mind-boggling. Guest post by Eric. Continue reading

  • From Billie Holiday to DakhaBrakha: The Uniting Power of the Protest SongThroughout history, music has been essential during times of struggle, transcending entertainment in order to become a force of change and progress. These protest songs are often situational, specific to a particular event, but sometimes they become an anthem of a movement.

    "Fill the silence with your music. Fill it today. Tell our story." After the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24th, 2022, Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, appeared…

  • 2023 Americana Honors & Awards NomineesBelow are the nominations for the 22nd Annual Americana Honors & Awards. And the nominees are ...

    Album of the Year:"Big Time," Angel Olsen; Produced by Angel Olsen and Jonathan Wilson"Can I Take My Hounds To Heaven?," Tyler Childers; Produced by Tyler Childers"El Bueno y el Malo," Hermanos Gutiérrez; Produced by Dan Auerbach"The Man from Waco," Charley Crockett; Produced by Bruce Robison"Strays," Margo Price; Produced by Margo Price and Jonathan Wilson

    Artist of the Year:Charley CrockettSierra FerrellMargo PriceAllison RussellBilly Strings

    Duo/Group of the Year:49 WinchesterCaampNickel CreekPlainsThe War and Treaty

    Emerging Act of the Year:Adeem the ArtistS.G. GoodmanWilliam PrinceThee Sacred SoulsSunny War

    Instrumentalist of the Year:Isa BurkeAllison de GrootJeff PickerSistaStrings (Chauntee and Monique Ross)Kyle Tuttle

    Song of the Year:“Change of Heart,” Margo Price; Written by Jeremy Ivey, Margo Price“I’m Just a Clown,” Charley Crockett; Written by Charley Crockett“Just Like That,” Bonnie Raitt; Written by Bonnie Raitt“Something in the Orange,” Zach Bryan; Written by Zach Bryan“You’re Not Alone,” Allison Russell featuring Brandi Carlile; Written by Allison Russell

    Find out who will win at the 22nd Annual Americana Honors & Awards on Sept. 20 at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, TN. Tickets are now on sale to AMERICANAFEST Conference Registrants, and Americana Music Association members will receive access on June 22. Learn more about awards show tickets here.

    Below are the nominations for the 22nd Annual Americana Honors & Awards. And the nominees are … Album of the Year:”Big Time,” Angel Olsen; Produced by Angel Olsen and Jonathan…

  • AI music startup AudioShake raises $2.7M in seed round with backing from Crush Music, peermusic… and MetallicaThe company’s latest seed round was led by Indicator Ventures, with participation from Precursor Ventures and Side Door Ventures
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    AudioShake has made waves with its ability to break apart stems in recorded songs, even when those songs were recorded on a single track.