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Category: Music

Music | ReportWire publishes the latest breaking U.S. and world news, trending topics and developing stories from around globe.

  • AWAL strikes global distribution deal with Italy’s Artist First – Music Business Worldwide

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    Italy-based music distributor, record label, and services company Artist First has partnered with Sony Music Entertainment-owned artist development company AWAL.

    Under the strategic partnership announced Thursday (February 19), Artist First will offer local marketing and promotional services to AWAL artists looking to break into the Italian market. Artist First will remain independent under the arrangement.

    Artist First, founded in Milan in 2009 by its CEO, Claudio Ferrante, provides services including digital and physical distribution, artist management, merchandising, and live events through its concert arm, A1 Concerti.

    The company has worked with Italian acts including Salmo, Gemitaiz, Gazzelle, Fulminacci, and Alfa, accumulating more than 50 No.1 chart entries and over 275 Gold, 140 Platinum and multiple Diamond certifications.

    For Artist First, the partnership expands its international reach, according to Ferrante. “This new strategic partnership with AWAL will add global reach to our distribution and services capabilities, allowing the Italian artists we represent to engage with new markets and audiences around the world.”

    “This new strategic partnership with AWAL will add global reach to our distribution and services capabilities, allowing the Italian artists we represent to engage with new markets and audiences around the world.”

    Claudio Ferrante, Artist First

    “At the same time, this alliance will enable us to develop new synergies with AWAL’s roster, leveraging A1’s fully integrated and holistic structure to create opportunities that go beyond distribution.”

    “With Artist First remaining fully independent and focused on providing artists with an environment in which to enjoy creative freedom, we will continue to live up to our name and always put the artist first. The AWAL team are also keen to tap into our proven expertise in Italy to create opportunities for their fantastic roster in this fast-growing market, and we are really excited about the possibilities that this new partnership holds.”

    Lonny Olinick, CEO of AWAL, added: “Since our first meeting with Claudio and his team we have felt a strong alignment of principles between our two companies. We share the dedication to developing and empowering artists, and in combination we will be a powerful force for the Italian music industry.”

    “The Italian market is one of the most exciting in the world, with strong digital growth and a thriving local artist community, so now is the perfect time to innovate and bring new solutions to the market.”

    “The Italian market is one of the most exciting in the world, with strong digital growth and a thriving local artist community, so now is the perfect time to innovate and bring new solutions to the market.”

    Lonny Olinick, AWAL

    According to data from Italian music body Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana (FIMI) in August 2025, the Italian music market grew by 9.7% YoY in the first half of 2025 to EUR €208 million (approx. USD $245 million).

    Digital streaming grew 9.9% YoY in H1 2025, with Premium streaming jumping 12.7% YoY to €113 million ($133m).

    The Artist First partnership represents AWAL’s continued global expansion.

    In September, the company partnered with its affiliate, Sony Music Middle East, allowing it to expand into the Middle East and establish a Dubai headquarters.

    In 2023, AWAL expanded into India with the acquisition of OKListen, a Mumbai-headquartered digital music platform for indie labels and musicians. Sony Music completed its acquisition of AWAL in 2021.

    In 2024, AWAL expanded to West Africa, hiring Nigerian music exec Excel Joab to lead A&R and artist development efforts.

    AWAL’s roster of artists includes Laufey, Little Simz, Jungle, Djo, Lil Peep, Gerry Cinnamon, CMAT, JPEGMAFIA, Tom Misch and more.

    Music Business Worldwide

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  • Bill Callahan Sets 2026 U.S. Tour

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    Bill Callahan has announced a U.S. tour in support of his upcoming album My Days of 58. The run kicks off on May 1 in Oklahoma City, and features support from Jana Horn, Otto Benson, and Noveller. Explore a full list of dates below.

    Accompanying Callahan on tour will be the core musicians on My Days of 58: guitarist Matt Kinsey, tenor saxophonist Dustin Laurenzi, and drummer Jim White. It’s the same band that he worked with on the 2024 live album Resuscitate! Before Callahan heads stateside for the shows, he’ll play a series of record store sets in the UK from February 23 through 27.

    So far, Callahan has released two songs from My Days of 58, “The Man I’m Supposed to Be” and “Lonely City.” The latter was paired with a video montage of images from New York street photographer Daniel Arnold, shot over the course of 15 years; it marked the first time Arnold had allowed the use of his photos in a music video. Callahan shared his most recent studio album, Ytilaer, in 2022.

    Read more about My Days of 58 in The 55 Most Anticipated Albums of 2026.

    Bill Callahan:

    02-23 London, UK – Stranger Than Paradise Records
    02-24 Brighton, UK – Resident Music
    02-25 Totnes, UK – Drift Records
    02-26 Liverpool, UK – Rough Trade Liverpool
    02-27 Glasgow, UK – Monorail
    05-01 Oklahoma City, OK – Beer City Music Hall *
    05-02 Kansas City, MO – recordBar *
    05-03 Chicago, IL – Constellation (Early Show) *
    05-03 Chicago, IL – Constellation (Late Show) *
    05-04 Detroit, MI – Magic Stick *
    05-06 Ardmore, PA – Ardmore Music Hall *
    05-07 Queens, NY – Knockdown Center ^#
    05-08 Northampton, MA – Iron Horse Music Hall ^
    05-09 Kingston, NY – Assembly ^
    05-11 Washington, DC – Union Stage ^
    05-12 Saxapahaw, NC – Haw River Ballroom ^
    05-13 Atlanta, GA – Goat Farm ^
    05-15 New Orleans, LA – Siberia ^

    * w/ Jana Horn
    # w/ Otto Benson
    ^ w/ Noveller

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    Hattie Lindert

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  • Snail Mail Performs in a Hot-Air Balloon in New “My Maker” Video

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    Snail Mail is back with a new song. “My Maker” is the latest track from her next album Ricochet, and it arrives alongside a one-take music video where she’s playing live from a hot-air balloon. You can watch that below.

    In a press statement, Lindsey Jordan said the “My Maker” lyric “Above us, it’s just sky” inspired the video’s in-air location. “It took six canceled rides for that to happen, but we finally got up there,” she added. “I wanted the video to reference the lyrics about mortality, but also about the freedom that comes with realizing fate is out of your hands.” Jordan and Elsie Richter directed the visual, and Momma’s Aron Kobayashi Ritch co-produced the track.

    “My Maker” follows “Dead End,” the lead single Jordan shared when she announced Ricochet back in January. This spring, she’ll support the new record with an international tour, featuring support from Sharp Pins, Avalon Emerson & The Charm, Swirlies, and more. Jordan’s most recent LP, Valentine, came out in 2021.

    Revisit Quinn Moreland’s 2021 profile Snail Mail Can’t Help But Confess.

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    Hattie Lindert

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  • VICIOUS RUMORS Fires Drummer Over Political Views: “We Can No Longer Tolerate Being Punished By Association” – Metal Injection

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    Veteran U.S. power metallers Vicious Rumors have announced the departure of their longtime drummer Larry Howe, citing irreconcilable differences over his personal political views.

    In a statement shared on social media on February 18, the band said: “After years of disagreement on the issue, Vicious Rumors will no longer be touring with longtime drummer Larry Howe.

    “As a band, we have never agreed with Larry’s personal political ambitions. As hard as it is to let an original member go, VR can no longer tolerate being punished by association for Larry‘s personal opinions. They do not reflect the opinion of Vicious Rumors. Our message is simple and clear: Unity! and celebrating heavy metal together!”

    The band emphasized that their mission of bringing people together through music, a core message since forming in 1979, remains unchanged. They also confirmed that Howe will honor the band’s commitment to the U.S. leg of The Devil’s Asylum Tour, running from February 25 to March 28, before a new touring drummer is announced.

    Howe, who joined Vicious Rumors in 1985, describes himself as a “rock ‘n’ roll patriot” on social media. The band’s upcoming 2026 tour spans 75 shows across the U.S. and Europe, and they concluded their statement encouraging fans: “Now let’s get back to the heavy metal music doing the talking! See you VR maniacs on tour soon!”

    Vicious Rumors then clarified: “VR is about the music! Not politics! Due to Larrys extreme views that have nothing to do with VR – four shows have been canceled so far because of this. It’s not about choosing sides in VR it’s about entertainment for all. When the band is penalized this severly and our live events are being canceled, for one outspoken belief a change has to be made.”

    In a personal statement, Howe offered the following: ‘The skull. A depiction often used in vicious rumors merchandise and logos as in numerous other heavy metal bands. The reason being that it is the denomination of the collective gathering of a particular type of music enthusiast, the heavy metal fan.

    “The main reason for this is that it is the one characteristic that we all share. It does not matter what color skin lies on top of the skull, what color the hair -or if there is any, and also for what goes on inside between the ears. All these things can be different, the one thing that we all have in common is the skull. Nothing can change this. Those differences are the things we should all look beyond as we listen to the music we love, and attend live shows playing the music, taking us away from a judgmental world if only just for a few hours at a show.

    “So when I see junk journalism in what amounts to a grocery store gossip rag disguising itself as a heavy metal magazine, chastising band members such as myself and other musicians for their proclivities and beliefs, I see it as a crack in the system. These types of divide and conquer tactics are usually embraced by controlling authoritarian oligarchs, or corrupt career politicians, or DIGITAL DICTATORS. This cannot stand.

    “The heavy metal industry as a whole is one of the smallest markets in the entire music industry, and we shouldn’t allow it to disintegrate through infighting like children yelling on a playground in a ‘cancel culture’. Yes, I am guilty of reposting some memes that have upset some people. It was not my intention and I humbly apologize.

    “But we cannot afford to let this bastardization of opinion splinter the very foundation of the heavy metal scene around the planet. We need to embrace our differences to be stronger than ever, and remain vigilant and yearn for the freedom to express our opinions and thoughts without such a destructive result. United we stand divided we fall . Remember, in the state run entity, there is no music or freedom of speech, and this is something that we simply cannot ever allow to happen.

    “Musicians and fans alike look forward to these gatherings as a way to escape the banalities of life. Work related problems, stress , loss of relationships, marriage, divorces, foreclosure, bankruptcy… etc. etc. These are the things we ALL need to leave behind as we attend live music events.

    “If you feel the need to attack any musician over something they have randomly said or posted, you have that right. That is the double edged sword of freedom of speech. But please don’t seek to destroy the heavy metal scene we’ve all been building for decades. It is like one big family and we need for it to remain so. Whatever our differences may be.

    “So now I will politely walk away from the European tour since the German promoters felt the need to cancel the shows Geoff had worked so hard to arrange for our fans. This is an unfortunate result. Please continue to support the band that has been such a big part of my life for so long. FYI, I’m still doing all of the American shows.! It really should be an interesting tour!! don’t miss it!”

    Get those dates below and get your tickets here.

    2/25 Orlando, FL West End Trading Co.
    2/26 Tampa, FL The Brass Mug
    3/1 Atlanta, GA 529
    3/10 Phoenix, AZ Rhythm Room
    3/12 San Francisco, CA DNA Lounge
    3/13 Reno, NV Alturas Center Stage
    3/14 Salt Lake City, UT Aces High Saloon
    3/15 Colorado Springs, CO Lulu’s Downtown
    3/17 Lincoln, NE 1867 Bar
    3/18 Iowa City, IA Wildwood
    3/19 Chicago, IL Reggie’s
    3/21 Kent, OH The Outpost
    3/23 Earleville, MD Club RYD
    3/24 Providence, RI Alchemy
    3/25 Rochester, NY Photo City
    3/26 Catonsville, MD Morseburgers Tavern
    3/27 Newark, DE Halftime Sports Bar
    3/28 Bristol, CT Bleachers
    3/29 Harrisburg, PA HMAC
    3/3 Wichita, KS John Barleycorn’s
    3/4 Oklahoma City, OK 89th Street
    3/5 Dallas, TX Haltom Theater
    3/6 Austin, TX Kickbutt Coffee
    3/7 San Antonio, TX Fitzgerald’s
    3/9 Albuquerque, NM El Rey Theater
    5/10 Zagreb, HR Hardplace
    5/10 Zagreb, HR Hardplace
    5/11 Belgrade, RS Klub Fest
    5/11 Belgrade, RS Klub Fest
    5/13 Selb, DE Rock Club Nordbayern
    5/14 Essen, DE Don’t Panic
    5/15 Lichtenfels, DE Paunchy Cats
    5/16 Brno, CZ Kabinet Mus
    5/17 Kosice, SK Colosseum
    5/18 Zilina, SK Smer Club 77
    5/20 Munich, DE Backstage
    5/22 Plozevet, FR Courts Of Chaos Festival
    5/28 Portugalete, ES Groove Room
    5/29 Madrid, ES Sala Silikona
    5/30 Barcelona, ES Lennon’s Club
    5/31 Valencia, ES Sala Zulu
    5/8 Freiburg, DE Skullcrusher Fest
    5/9 Cham, DE LA
    6/10 Hamburg, DE Logo
    6/11 Kassel, DE Goldgrube
    6/12 Den Haag, NL Musicon
    6/13 Breda, NL Sound Dog
    6/14 Oldenburg, DE MTS
    6/17 Dortmund, DE Cafe Banana (Exclusive Acoustic Show)
    6/17 Dortmund, DE Cafe Banana (Exclusive Acoustic Show)
    6/18 Osnabrück, DE Bastard Club
    6/19 Düsseldorf, DE The Pitcher
    6/20 Graspop, BE Graspop Metal Meeting
    6/3 Velden, AT Bluesiana
    6/5 Modena, IT Vibra Club
    6/6 Vicenza, IT Super Metalfest VIII
    6/7 Milano, IT RHO Rock n Roll
    6/7 Milano, IT RHO Rock n Roll
    6/9 Stuttgart, DE Der Schwarze Keiler
    9/12 Brooklyn, NY Rage Of Armageddon Festival
    9/18 Madison, WI Blades Of Steel Festival

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    Greg Kennelty

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  • Spotify says it has ‘helped artists generate’ $1bn+ in ticket sales to date. Now it’s teaming up with SeatGeek to drive even more – Music Business Worldwide

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    Last month, Spotify‘s Head of Music, Charlie Hellman, revealed in a blog post that the streaming giant paid out over $11 billion to the music industry in 2025.

    Buried in the same post was another eye-catching stat: According to Hellman, Spotify has, to date, “helped artists generate more than $1 billion in ticket sales.”

    The streaming giant aggregates concert listings via integrations with multiple partners, including Ticketmaster, Eventbrite, AXS, Bandsintown, Japan’s ZAIKO, as well as UK-headquartered ticketing platform Skiddle and Dutch event management platform Stager. The company currently lists over 40 ticketing partners within its concert discovery-dedicated FAQs.

    Now it’s struck up yet another partnership, this time with New York-headquartered ticketing platform SeatGeek.

    Through the integration, fans can discover live events tied to the artists they listen to and then “connect seamlessly” to SeatGeek to purchase official primary tickets for concerts by those acts.

    Pairing “data-driven recommendations with official inventory”, SeatGeek primary events will appear across Spotify through personalized recommendations and notifications based on listener preferences.

    “This partnership with SeatGeek represents a significant step in our mission to build a best-in-class event discovery platform.”

    ABBIE RILEY, SPOTIFY

    “This partnership with SeatGeek represents a significant step in our mission to build a best-in-class event discovery platform,” said Abbie Riley, Business Development Lead at Spotify.

    “By connecting our highly engaged audience with official primary tickets from an authorized source, we are creating a more contextual concert discovery experience that helps fans find tickets alongside the music they love.”

    SeatGeek says it aims to help partners “better understand fan behavior, improve show rates and make more informed decisions across their business” through SeatGeekIQ, its AI-driven marketplace intelligence engine.

    “This integration with Spotify helps remove friction at the moment of discovery.”

    Russ D’Souza, SEATGEEK

    Participating venues include SeatGeek’s 15 major US venue partners, including State Farm Stadium (Glendale, AZ), Nissan Stadium (Nashville, TN), and AT&T Stadium (Arlington, Texas).

    “SeatGeek is building the best marketplace for live events by making it easier for fans to find the right tickets in the best possible buying experience,” said Russ D’Souza, co-founder and President of SeatGeek.

    “This integration with Spotify helps remove friction at the moment of discovery, so fans can go from listening to an artist to choosing great seats in just a few steps. For our partners, it also creates a more direct and informed connection to fans as interest turns into attendance.”

    The SeatGeek partnership is the latest step in Spotify’s evolving approach to concert discovery within its app .

    The streaming service initially partnered with Songkick, the concert discovery platform then owned by Warner Music Group, in 2020 to add virtual event listings during the pandemic.

    Two years later, Spotify launched a new ‘Live Events’ feed, replacing its previous ‘Concert Hub’ feature. That same year, the company started testing direct concert ticket sales to fans through a dedicated ‘Spotify Tickets’ site.

    However, the direct ticketing experiment proved challenging, with Spotify retreating from ticket sales in 2024 and pivoting toward partnerships with established ticketing companies. That same year, its 13-year partnership with Songkick came to an end.

    Music Business Worldwide

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  • SUN DONT SHINE (TYPE O NEGATIVE, CROWBAR, Etc.) Return With New Single “Power To Live” – Metal Injection

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    Heavy metal supergroup Sun Dont Shine return with their fierce new single, “Power To Live,” available now via Corpse Paint Records. An official music video, directed by Mike Holderbeast, will follow on February 23 across major streaming platforms.

    The track serves as the latest preview of the band’s anticipated debut full-length, From Birth To Death, arriving April 1, 2026. Written by Kenny Hickey and Kirk Windstein, “Power To Live” was recorded at OCD Studios in summer 2025. Production was handled by Duane Simoneaux, co-produced by Vinnie LaBella, and executive produced by Andrew Spaulding.

    Lyrically, the song confronts humanity’s repeated cycles of violence while defiantly asserting resilience and awareness. The concept originated from a conversation between Hickey and Windstein about the single’s cover art and the shame of mankind’s failure to evolve beyond destruction. As the band explains, the track is “a challenge to the times we’re living in — an insistence on survival and consciousness in the face of cycles that refuse to break.”

    Visually, Sun Dont Shine collaborated with artist Nadiya Vizier (Crowbar, Sailor Bob Tattoo) on the striking cover artwork. To celebrate the release, the band and Vizier have created a strictly limited art collection tied exclusively to the single. The collection includes 100 hand-signed posters, a custom sticker sheet, and 10 ultra-limited trucker caps featuring original artwork. Each item was produced specifically for “Power To Live” and will not be reissued.

    Musically, the track showcases the band’s signature blend of crushing heaviness and brooding atmosphere. Windstein‘s massive guitar tone locks in with Hickey‘s haunting hooks, while Johnny Kelly delivers precise yet explosive drumming and Todd Strange anchors the low end with thunderous weight. The result is a dynamic, battle-worn sound that feels both raw and deliberate.

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    Greg Kennelty

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  • Bad Bunny to Star in New Residente-Directed Film Porto Rico

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    Bad Bunny has been cast in his first leading role in the feature directorial debut from Puerto Rican rapper Residente, Deadline reports. Described as an “epic Caribbean western and historical drama,” Porto Rico will also star Viggo Mortensen, Edward Norton, and Javier Bardem. Alejandro G. Iñárritu is executive producing the film.

    Porto Rico has been in development since 2023. At the time, the screenplay by Residente and Alexander Dinelaris reportedly centered on the life of José Maldonado Román, a 19th century Puerto Rican revolutionary known as the Águila Blanca.

    “I have dreamed of making a film about my country since I was a child,” Residente told Deadline. “Puerto Rico’s true history has always been surrounded by controversy. This film is a reaffirmation of who we are—told with the intensity and honesty that our history deserves.”

    Bad Bunny previously appeared in the Brad Pitt action flick Bullet Train, Darren Arnofsky’s Caught Stealing, and Happy Gilmore 2. This month alone, he took home three trophies from the 2026 Grammy Awards—including a historic Album of the Year win for Debí Tirar Más Fotos—and performed the halftime show at Super Bowl LX.

    Bad Bunny’s Incredible Super Bowl Halftime Show Planted a New Flag

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    Walden Green

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  • Google just launched Lyria 3 – its ‘most advanced’ AI music generator yet – in the Gemini app – Music Business Worldwide

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    Google has launched what it says is its ‘most advanced’ generative AI music model yet, Lyria 3, within its Gemini chatbot app — allowing users to create 30-second tracks from text prompts or images.

    Lyria 3 was developed by Google DeepMind, the tech giant’s AI research division, and is the latest iteration of its generative music technology.

    The feature, which began rolling out on Wednesday morning (February 18), enables users aged 18 and over to describe a genre, mood, or scenario and receive an AI-generated track complete with vocals and lyrics. Users can also upload photos or videos and have Gemini compose an accompanying soundtrack.

    Google is positioning the tool for casual use cases such as custom birthday cards or “a ballad from your pet’s POV.” Lyria 3 is available in English, German, Spanish, French, Hindi, Japanese, Korean and Portuguese.

    Google has not specified how Lyria 3 was trained, but said in a blog post on Wednesday (February 18) it has sought to “develop this technology responsibly in collaboration with the music community” and has “been very mindful of copyright and partner agreements” in training the model.

    MBW understands that to mean the training for Lyria 3 uses music that YouTube and its parent company, Google, “have the right to use” under their “terms of service, partner agreements, and applicable law”.

    Billboard reported in January 2024 that Google had previously trained its AI music models on copyrighted recordings before approaching rights holders for licensing deals.

    Google said Lyria 3 represents an improvement on its previous Lyria models, offering automatically generated lyrics, greater creative control over style and tempo, and “more realistic and musically complex tracks.”

    The new model builds on Lyria 2, which MBW reported on in September, and which powers YouTube’s “Speech to Song” tool for converting dialogue into musical soundtracks.

    The company framed the feature as a tool for personal creative expression rather than professional music production. “The goal of these tracks isn’t to create a musical masterpiece, but rather to give you a fun, unique way to express yourself,” wrote Joël Yawili, Senior Product Manager at Gemini App, and Myriam Hamed Torres, Senior Product Manager at Google DeepMind, in a blog post announcing the launch.

    Lyria 3 is also being integrated into YouTube’s Dream Track — the platform’s AI soundtrack generator for Shorts creators, first launched in 2023 — which is expanding beyond its initial US availability to creators in other countries.

    Dream Track originally launched with AI voice clones of participating artists including Charlie Puth, T-Pain, and Alec Benjamin. Lyria 3 focuses on original vocal and instrumental generation rather than artist likeness.

    The launch follows YouTube’s rollout of a separate AI music tool, “Music Assistant,” within its Creator Music marketplace earlier this year. That feature, which MBW reported on in April last year, allows YouTube Partner Program members to generate copyright-free instrumental backing tracks via text prompts.

    Google said that Lyria 3 is “designed for original expression, not for mimicking existing artists.” If a user’s prompt names a specific artist, the company said, “Gemini will take this as broad creative inspiration and create a track that shares a similar style or mood.”

    The company added that it has “filters in place to check outputs against existing content” and that users can report content that may violate their rights.

    All tracks generated in Gemini are embedded with SynthID, Google’s watermarking technology for identifying AI-generated content. The company also announced that users can now upload audio files to Gemini to check whether they were generated using Google AI.

    The launch comes after Universal Music Group and YouTube struck a new licensing deal in October that included what UMG CEO Sir Lucian Grainge called “really important guardrails and protection for our artists and writers around gen AI content.”

    Music Business Worldwide

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  • JEFF HANNEMAN’s Widow: “At No Point Did JEFF Ever Condone Nazism” – Metal Injection

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    Jeff Hanneman‘s widow, Kathryn Hannemann, has issued a detailed statement to address ongoing misunderstandings surrounding the legacy of her late husband, the legendary Slayer guitarist.

    In her message, Kathryn emphasized that self-inflicted negativity or attacks on Jeff‘s legacy would not be tolerated. “If you are here to spread negativity, why are you here at all?” she wrote.

    She strongly defended Jeff‘s artistic intent: “If anyone here is posting immature or negative comments, you’re not representing what it truly means to be a @slayerbandofficial fan. My husband never glorified Nazism. He told stories through his music — essentially documentaries in song form — and did it with remarkable intelligence and depth. At no point did Jeff EVER condone Nazism.”

    Kathryn also clarified the symbolism often associated with the band: “For those that honor my husband with the Slayer ‘S’ or reference to his song ‘Angel of Death,’ please do not automatically assume the S represents the SS or that these fans are Nazis. That couldn’t be further from the truth. They are simply paying tribute to the music and legacy he created. Making assumptions like that is unfair, uninformed, and dismissive of the intelligence behind the art.”

    Concluding her statement, she reiterated: “Jeff never promoted hate — he told historic stories through music. To assume otherwise is not only inaccurate, it diminishes the meaning his work holds for so many people.”

    The statement comes amid continued debate over Hannemann‘s interest in German war history, medals, and the Wehrmacht and Waffen-SS, which influenced some of his lyrics. Hanneman‘s fascination began with medals passed down from his father, including items taken from deceased German soldiers.

    His most prized piece was a Knight’s Cross purchased from a fan for $1,000. Touring with Motörhead, Hanneman bonded with frontman Lemmy over military history, weaponry, and medal design.

    Much of the controversy centers on the lyrics to Slayer‘s “Angel of Death,” which led some to accuse the band of Nazi sympathies. Hanneman defended his work: “I know why people misinterpret it — it’s because they get this knee-jerk reaction to it. When they read the lyrics, there’s nothing I put in the lyrics that says necessarily [Josef Mengele] was a bad man, because to me — well, isn’t that obvious? I shouldn’t have to tell you that.”

    Over the years, Slayer have consistently stated that they are not Nazis and do not condone Nazism, emphasizing that their music is a historical exploration rather than an endorsement of extremism. Kathryn Hanneman‘s statement reinforces the need to consider Slayer‘s lyrics in context and honor the complexity and depth of Jeff Hanneman‘s artistry.

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    Greg Kennelty

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  • Concord opens new Los Angeles office on Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills – Music Business Worldwide

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    Concord has officially opened its new Los Angeles office at 9171 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills, located in the Wilshire & Palm Building in the city’s iconic “golden triangle.”

    The new space sits just blocks away from Concord Records’ former Beverly Hills office, marking, according to the company, “both a return to familiar ground and a step forward into a new chapter”.

    Leased in the fall of 2024, the new 32,000-square-foot space occupies both the sixth floor and the penthouse of the building.

    “This new office signals the future of Concord,” said CEO Bob Valentine on Wednesday (February 18).

    Concord CEO Bob Valentine

    “This new office signals the future of Concord.”

    Bob Valentine, Concord

    Added Valentine: “Our return to the heart of Beverly Hills — within a space designed to inspire collaboration and creativity — reflects our long-term vision of building an environment where our teams and artists can do their best, most impactful work.”

    Concord says that its new office space was “designed with flexibility and collaboration in mind,” while the sixth floor features “adaptable meeting areas alongside individual workstations that support focused, day-to-day work”.

    Photo credit: Benny Chan

    The company noted that the penthouse offers “panoramic views of the Los Angeles Basin and Hollywood Hills,” including the Hollywood Sign and Griffith Observatory, and features both indoor and outdoor workspaces, creating an “inspiring environment for creativity and connection”.

    Photo credit: Benny Chan

    Concord added that the opening of the new Beverly Hills office “underscores” the company’s “continued investment in its people, its culture, and its long-term vision across recorded music, publishing, narrative content, and theatrical works”.

    Concord’s office was designed by Wolcott, with project management by SAW & Associates, interior design by Tangram Interiors, and creative installations by Untethered Studios. Wilshire & Pam is owned by Cruzan.

    “We’re only a few blocks from our former home, but this move represents meaningful growth.”

    Vic Zaraya, Concord 

    Concord COO, Vic Zaraya added: “We’re only a few blocks from our former home, but this move represents meaningful growth.

    “The Wilshire & Palm Building gives us room to come together, think differently, and build for the future.”

    You can see more photos from inside Concord’s new office space below:

    Photo credit: Benny Chan
    Photo credit: Benny Chan
    Photo credit: Benny Chan
    Photo credit: Benny Chan
    Photo credit: Benny Chan
    Photo credit: Benny Chan

    Music Business Worldwide

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  • Hayden Pedigo Signs to Sub Pop

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    Hayden Pedigo has officially signed to Sub Pop. To celebrate the occasion, the singer has shared a (presumably satirical) contract with the indie label. The agreement includes a payment of “777 Gorgeous Dollars,” a lifetime supply of free passes to Ol’ Bernard’s Roller Rink & Organ Honkers, and a one-foot plot of Village Lake, “formerly known as Alcohol and Drug Abuse Lake in Richland Country, South Carolina, United States.” The contract also states that the label will never ask Pedigo to perform covers of Def Leppard, Dokken, the Doors, Van Halen, or Tank Top Party Lads. Read the full document below.

    “I signed with @subpop!!! The greatest label on earth! I can’t explain to y’all how excited I am to be working with them!” Pedigo shared on Instagram. “Currently cooking on my next full length album, and I have a lot of exciting things coming. Until then I’m just going to stay stoked about this for the rest of my life! More soon!”

    Sub Pop also announced that Pedigo will host a four-month-long NTS residency titled Amarillo Highway With Hayden Pedigo starting February 25th.

    Read Pitchfork’s review of I’ll Be Waving as You Drive Away.

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    Kiana Mickles

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  • ROMAN CANDLE Release New Single About False Worship, “Bite Harder Than You Bleed” – Metal Injection

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    The Las Vegas four-piece Roman Candle have just released a brand new single, “Bite Harder Than You Bleed” via Sumerian Records, and it rips.

    An aggressive, thrashing post-hardcore effort that capitalises on the genre’s suitability for emotionally resonant lyricism and storytelling, the newest single would be enjoyed by fans of the intense Touché Amoré and hardcore SCOWL.

    Consisting of vocalist Piper Ferrari, guitarist Jonas Vece, drummer Alex Dupis, and bassist Sergio Lopez, Roman Candle have been kicking around the scene since 2022 following their debut EP, Discount Fireworks, their newest single expanding on the intense sound they’ve built for themselves.

    Ferrari says “Bite Harder Than You Bleed” was inspired by the idea of false worship of celebrities before you’re in it and the pressure of the industry once you’re in it. Explaining, “”Bite Harder Than You Bleed” came from this place of being completely jaded with the music industry—the pressure to act the same, think the same, and worship the same idols. It’s that ‘kill your idols’ moment where you realize even the people you look up to are just as hollow, anxious, and bruised as you are. Lines like ‘falsely shallow, hollow, refusing to follow’ and ‘your idols hate you too’ were me processing how disheartening it can feel, but also how freeing it is to acknowledge it. The song is basically my reminder that you have to bite harder than you bleed—push back, stay sharp, and refuse to let the world wear you down.”

    You can stream the new Roman Candle song here, and check out the official music video below.

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    Isabella Ambrosio

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  • SATAN Postpone 2026 Shows As Vocalist BRIAN ROSS Prepares For “Major Life-Saving Preventative Surgery” – Metal Injection

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    Long-running heavy metal titans Satan have announced that vocalist Brian Ross will undergo a “major, life-saving preventative surgery” this spring, forcing the band to postpone all scheduled performances for the remainder of 2026.

    In a statement shared via social media, the band wrote: “Fans and friends, with a heavy heart, we must announce a break from scheduled performances. Our singer, the inimitable Brian Ross, has just learned that he must have a major, life-saving preventative surgery in April/May 2026.

    “His recovery will take several months. This sadly means that Satan is forced to postpone all planned concerts for 2026, with the exception of this week’s shows in Spain which will go ahead as planned.

    “This is not what we wanted, but we trust that you all want Brian to take care of his health, recover fully and come back stronger and more powerful than ever in 2027 Thank you so much for your unwavering love and support!”

    While the news comes as a disappointment to fans, the band emphasized that Ross‘s health and full recovery are the top priority. The remaining Spanish shows scheduled for this week will proceed as planned, after which Satan will step away from the stage for the rest of the year.

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    Greg Kennelty

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  • Miley Cyrus Announces Hannah Montana 20th Anniversary Special

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    Miley Cyrus has announced a previously teased 20th anniversary special for Hannah Montana, the Disney Channel series that made the singer a star.

    “Going back to where it all began,” she wrote in the announcement.

    The special, which will be filmed in front of a live studio audience and premiere on Disney+ on March 24, will celebrate the show’s legacy and “offer an intimate look at the creation of one of pop culture’s most iconic characters and the lasting impact the show and character have had on fans around the world.” It will also include an interview between Cyrus and Call Her Daddy podcast host Alex Cooper.

    ‘“Hannah Montana’ will always be a part of who I am,” Cyrus said in a statement. “The fact that it still means so much to people all these years later is something I’m very proud of. This ‘Hannahversary’ is my way of celebrating and thanking the fans who’ve stood by me for 20 years.”

    Hannah Montana featured Cyrus as Miley Stewart, a teenager living a double life as the titular pop star. The series ran for four seasons between 2006 and 2011 and featured five soundtrack spin-off albums—including Cyrus’ musical debut, Hannah Montana, which was credited to her character. Four of the five projects topped the Billboard 200.

    Read Pitchfork’s review of Cyrus’ 2025 album Something Beautiful.

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    Alex Suskind, Kiana Mickles

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  • Visible Cloaks Return With New Album Paradessence

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    Visible Cloaks are back with their first full-length album in nine years. The Portland-based ambient duo of Spencer Doran and Ryan Carlile will release Paradessence on May 22 via RVNG Intl. They’ve also shared a lead single, “Disque,” which features Motion Graphics playing synthetic woodwinds. Check out a music video for that below.

    We last heard from Visible Cloaks in 2019, when they shared serenitatem, a collaborative album with ambient artists Yoshio Ojima and Satsuki Shibano. Doran and Carlile released their last solo LP, Reassemblage, in 2017, and followed it up with a mini-LP, Lex, the same year. In 2019, Doran also curated the Grammy-nominated compilation Kankyō Ongaku: Japanese Ambient, Environmental & New Age Music 1980-1990.

    Paradessence draws its title from a portmanteau of “paradoxical” and “essence,” coined by author Alex Shakar. Per Visible Cloaks, the word embodies the oppositional-but-coexisting concepts they’re trying to explore with the new album. “Instead of creating pieces that function horizontally as environments, we wanted to conceptualize them as living material changing in space, continually in flux,” Doran shared in a press statement.

    Revisit Philip Sherburne’s 2017 profile Big in Japan: Visible Cloaks and the Power of Cultural Exchange.

    Paradessence:

    01 Apsis
    02 Skylight
    03 Disque (feat. Motion Graphics)
    04 Balloon
    05 Slippage
    06 Telescoping
    07 Shapes (feat. Yoshio Ojima and Satsuki Shibano)
    08 Thinking (feat. Félicia Atkinson, Yoshio Ojima and Satsuki Shibano)
    09 Zinna
    10 Swirl
    11 Steel
    12 Intarsia (feat. Ioana Șelaru)
    13 Capgras
    14 System (feat. Componium Ensemble)

    Visible Cloaks: Paradessence

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    Hattie Lindert

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  • DETHKLOK Announce Spring Headline Dates Across West Coast & Midwest – Metal Injection

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    Metal titans Dethklok have announced a series of spring headline dates, giving fans the chance to experience their full live production in dedicated settings across the West Coast and Midwest. These shows come alongside their previously announced co-headline tour with Amon Amarth, further expanding their 2026 live schedule.

    Promoted by Live Nation, the headline run kicks off April 26 at Aragon Ballroom in Chicago, IL, before traveling to cities including Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland, and San Diego, concluding on May 28 at Observatory North Park in San Diego, CA. Get your tickets here.

    4/26 Chicago, IL Aragon Ballroom
    5/22 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Palladium
    5/25 Seattle, WA Moore Theatre
    5/26 Portland, OR Roseland Theater
    5/28 San Diego, CA Observatory North Park

    Dethklok‘s full touring schedule with Amon Amarth and Castle Rat (minus the above dates) is as follows. Get your tickets here.

    4/15 Phoenix, AZ Arizona Financial Theatre
    4/17 San Antonio, TX Boeing Center at Tech Port
    4/18 Houston, TX 713 Music Hall
    4/20 Oklahoma City, OK The Criterion
    4/21 Kansas City, MO The Midland Theatre
    4/22 Chesterfield, MO The Factory
    4/24 Minneapolis, MN The Armory
    4/25 Waukee, IA Vibrant Music Hall
    4/28 Brooklyn, NY Brooklyn Paramount
    4/29 Boston, MA MGM Music Hall at Fenway
    5/1 Toronto, ON Great Canadian Casino Resort
    5/2 Montreal, QC Bell Centre
    5/5 National Harbor, MD The Theater at MGM National Harbor
    5/7 Daytona Beach, FL Welcome To Rockville
    5/9 Atlanta, GA Coca-Cola Roxy
    5/10 Nashville, TN The Pinnacle
    5/12 Johnstown, PA 1st Summit Arena
    5/13 Detroit, MI Fox Theatre
    5/14 Bethlehem, PA Wind Creek Event Center
    5/16 Milwaukee, WI Landmark Credit Union Live
    5/17 Columbus, OH Sonic Temple
    5/19 Denver, CO JUNKYARD
    5/20 Salt Lake City, UT The Union Event Center
    5/21 Las Vegas, NV PH Live at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino

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    Greg Kennelty

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  • POPPY Announces Constantly Nowhere North American Tour With LANDMVRKS & THOUSAND BELOW – Metal Injection

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    Two-time GRAMMY-nominated singer, songwriter, and performance artist Poppy has announced her upcoming Constantly Nowhere North American tour, bringing her subversive stage persona and genre-defying music to audiences across the continent. French metalcore outfit Landmvrks and post-hardcore band Thousand Below will join her on the Live Nation-promoted run.

    The tour follows Poppy‘s highly anticipated seventh studio album, Empty Hands, which blends industrial textures, pop sensibilities, and nods to her signature surrealist style. The North American leg will mark the first opportunity for fans to experience the new material live.

    The Constantly Nowhere tour follows international dates in Australia and Europe earlier this spring and will hit major cities across North America, including New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Nashville, and more.Get your tickets here.

    7/7 Washington, DC Echostage
    7/9 Philadelphia, PA The Fillmore Philadelphia
    7/10 New York, NY The Rooftop at Pier 17
    7/11 Boston, MA Roadrunner
    7/13 Montreal, QC MTELUS
    7/15 Toronto, ON HISTORY
    7/17 Grand Rapids, MI Belknap Park
    7/18 Mansfield, OH Ohio State Reformatory
    7/19 Detroit, MI The Fillmore Detroit
    7/21 Milwaukee, WI The Rave/Eagles Club – The Eagles Ballroom Club Stage
    7/22 Minneapolis, MN The Fillmore Minneapolis
    7/24 Chicago, IL Riviera Theatre
    7/25 St. Louis, MO The Pageant
    7/27 Omaha, NE The Admiral
    7/29 Denver, CO Fillmore Auditorium
    7/31 Salt Lake City, UT The Union Event Center
    8/2 Seattle, WA Paramount Theatre
    8/3 Portland, OR Roseland Theater
    8/5 Oakland, CA Fox Theater
    8/7 Los Angeles, CA Hollywood Palladium
    8/8 Phoenix, AZ The Van Buren
    8/9 Albuquerque, NM Revel Entertainment Center
    8/11 Austin, TX Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater
    8/12 Dallas, TX House of Blues
    8/13 Houston, TX House of Blues
    8/15 Orlando, FL Hard Rock Live Orlando
    8/16 Atlanta, GA Tabernacle
    8/18 Charlotte, NC The Fillmore Charlotte
    8/19 Nashville, TN Marathon Music Works

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    Greg Kennelty

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  • HYBE AMERICA launches Blue Highway Records in Nashville, names Jake Basden as CEO – Music Business Worldwide

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    HYBE AMERICA’s Nashville-based country, Americana, and roots rock division has been rebranded as Blue Highway Records (previously BMLG).

    Veteran entertainment executive Jake Basden has been appointed as Blue Highway Records’ Chief Executive Officer.

    Basden most recently served as President of Sandbox Management, where he oversaw all aspects of the talent division’s representation and business development, guiding the careers of multi-platinum and multi-award-winning talent, including Kacey Musgraves, Brandi Carlile, Kate Hudson, Kelsea Ballerini, Baby Nova, and Little Big Town.

    According to HYBE AMERICA, Blue Highway Records will be home to “some of the premier artists and songwriters in the industry,” with a number of “marquee” talent on the label’s roster including Thomas Rhett, Brett Young, Midland, Justin Moore, Carly Pearce, Preston Cooper, Jackson Dean and Mae Estes, as well as distribution for Riley Green, Shaylen, The Band Perry and Greylan James under Nashville Harbor Records & Entertainment.

    The announcement follows last week’s departure of Scott Borchetta, who had served as the CEO of Big Machine Label Group since HYBE’s purchase of Scooter Braun’s Ithaca Holdings in 2021. Borchetta founded Big Machine Records in 2005. BMLG was acquired by Scooter Braun’s Ithaca Holdings in 2019. The entirety of Ithaca, including BMLG and Braun’s SB Projects, was then acquired by South Korea’s HYBE in a $1.05 billion deal in 2021.

    Last week’s announcement noted that Borchetta would continue to use the Big Machine Records brand for his future ventures, but that HYBE AMERICA would retain the BMLG assets, the distribution deal, the publishing company Big Machine Music, and a number of artists on the label’s roster.

    The rebranded HYBE-run company in Nashville will now operate under the new label name of Blue Highway Records, effective immediately, led by Jake Basden.

    The Valory Music Co. will be folded into Blue Highway Records.

    The publishing company Big Machine Music will remain under HYBE AMERICA.

    This new appointment marks a return to the company for Basden, who previously served as Senior Vice President of Communications for Big Machine Label Group.

    While at BMLG, he worked with superstars Taylor Swift, Sheryl Crow, Tim McGraw, and Steven Tyler, and delivered award-winning music campaigns for Lionsgate’s “Nashville,” NBC’s “The Voice,” Fox’s “American Idol,” and Academy Award nominee recognition for Best Original Song for “I’m Not Gonna Miss You” from the documentary Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me.

    Basden began his career with a significant tenure at Ogilvy & Mather in New York, as well as Edelman, where he served as a Director in the Sports & Entertainment Division, spanning fashion, artists, products, celebrities and key events.

    “We’re excited for what’s ahead for Blue Highway Records and for all that Jake will do to further expand our company’s footprint in Music City.”

    Isaac Lee, HYBE AMERICA

    “As we were searching for a leader for our new Nashville record label, it was important to choose someone that thought of artists first. We found someone that would not only connect with our team and build our company culture, but has profound ties to this community,” said Isaac Lee, Chairman and CEO of HYBE AMERICA.

    “Jake’s long history of devoted service to artists, his time with our company and his deep roots in Nashville, along with his fresh and modern take on what will make the label successful in the digital age made him the ideal candidate for this role. We’re excited for what’s ahead for Blue Highway Records and for all that Jake will do to further expand our company’s footprint in Music City.”

    Commenting on his appointment, Basden added: “Country and American roots music is at such a dynamic place, and I can think of no better place to define what the future of these sounds can be than Blue Highway. With the power and global synergy of HYBE, there are no limits to what we can create – and I look forward to working with the current roster and future signings to deliver artists, songs and projects that speak to the heart of who we are as people.”

    “Blue Highway is going to deliver the sound for country for the coming years.”

    Jake Basden

    Basden added: “We are starting with a diverse roster of passionate creators. Each is singular in who they are, but also how they write and realize their sound.

    “From Thomas Rhett, a superstar who’s still filled with unmet potential to Jackson Dean, a songwriter with raw charisma and a gritty sound, Blue Highway is a place where being yourself invites originality and inspires listeners to find their own path. For CMA and ACM Female Vocalist of the Year Carly Pearce, Western-leaning progressives Midland and staunch American Justin Moore, country music is the bedrock for labelmates who have defined their own lane. When you factor in Preston Cooper, Brett Young and Mae Estes, the tradition of being your own kind of country remains in strong hands. Blue Highway is going to deliver the sound for country for the coming years.”

    HYBE America noted on Tuesday (February 17) that Basden recently “orchestrated eight-time Grammy Award winner Kacey Musgraves’ further artistic evolution with Deeper Well,” which charted high in both the US and UK.

    He also established multi-platinum vocalist Kelsea Ballerini’s Rolling Up The Welcome Mat as “a critical triumph,” HYBE America said, earning a Best Country Album nomination at the 2024 Grammys, as well as nominations from the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association for Female Vocalist and Album of the Year.

    Last month, HYBE America appointed veteran music exec Ethiopia Habtemariam as its new President of Music. She previously headed up Universal Music Group’s Motown Records.

    HYBE AMERICA also named Gene Whitney as its new General Counsel last month, while Johanna Fuentes was appointed to the newly created role of Executive Vice President and Head of Communications and Public Relations.

    The string of recent appointments at HYBE AMERICA follows last year’s leadership shakeup at the company, which saw Scooter Braun step away from his role as CEO of HYBE America in July.

    Braun was succeeded by Isaac Lee, who had been leading HYBE Latin America as Chairman since November of 2023, and took on a wider Americas leadership role with oversight of HYBE AMERICA and its business units, including BMLG (Big Machine Label Group) in Nashville and QC Media Holdings in Atlanta, as well as remaining as Chairman of HYBE’s Latin American operations in Mexico, Miami, and Medellin.

    Elsewhere at HYBE America, in October, the company formally launched HYBE LABEL SERVICE (HLS), a services unit the company says has been “specifically designed to bolster the growth of its artists in international markets”.

    To lead HLS, Los Angeles-based Ryan Hyeong Woo Noh was promoted to Chief Business Officer (CBO) of HYBE AMERICA, having previously served as Chief Strategy Officer of HYBE’s US division.Music Business Worldwide

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  • Low’s Alan Sparhawk Announces Tour, Shares Two New Songs

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    Alan Sparhawk of Low has announced a tour and dropped two new songs. The first, “JCMF,” is a rebellious song about Jesus punishing those who are cruel and helping the children upon his return, while the second single, “No More Darkness,” calls for a return to the light and a pursuit of goodness. Listen to them both below.

    In a press release, Sparhawk explained that “JCMF” is an older track that he’s played on the road for the past year. “I feel like the song has become a rebuke against the fascist/authoritarian streak that several world leaders have taken on and to the people who have been blinded into supporting them,” he said.

    Meanwhile, “No More Darkness” draws inspiration from a David Lynch quote: “Don’t fight the darkness. Don’t even worry about the darkness. Turn on the light and the darkness goes. Turn up the light of pure consciousness. Negativity goes.” Sparhawk credits the song for reminding him to choose optimism during tough times whenever possible. “We were ending our set with this tune all year, and it is my wish for everyone, especially those who feel alone,” he added.

    “JCMF” and “No More Darkness” are Sparhawk’s first solo tracks since releasing 2024’s White Roses, My God. He will donate a portion of his royalties from the two songs to the International Institute of Minnesota.

    This spring, Sparhawk will go on tour in support of his 2025 collaborative album, Alan Sparhawk With Trampled by Turtles, with his own band. However, his set at the Knoxville music festival Big Ears will be performed live with Trampled by Turtles. Check out his complete list of tour dates below.

    Alan Sparhawk:

    02-21 Red Wing, MN – Big Turn Music Festival
    03-29 Knoxville, TN – Big Ears Music Festival #
    05-03 Krems an der Donau, Austria – Donaufestival
    05-04 Prague, Czechia – Cultural House Krakov
    05-06 Kortrijk, Belgium – Wilde Western

    # with Trampled by Turtles

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    Nina Corcoran

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  • Henrik Berndtson named Head of Nordics at AEG ticketing division AXS – Music Business Worldwide

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    AEG ticketing subsidiary AXS has strengthened its regional leadership with the appointment of Henrik Berndtson as Head of the Nordics, as it continues to expand across Europe and other global markets.

    Based in Stockholm, Sweden, Berndtson will oversee AXS’s operations across the Nordics, supporting the company’s broader European strategy through close collaboration with international teams and local partners.

    AXS says his appointment reflects the firm’s “approach of pairing global scale with experienced regional leadership to support long-term growth”.

    “Henrik’s deep understanding of the live entertainment ecosystem and the Nordic market will be instrumental as we continue to strengthen our presence in the region.”

    BLAINE LEGERE, AXS

    Speaking about the move, Blaine Legere, President of International at AXS, said: “As AXS continues to expand its international footprint, strong local leadership is essential to delivering consistent, high-quality experiences for our clients and partners.

    “Henrik’s deep understanding of the live entertainment ecosystem and the Nordic market will be instrumental as we continue to strengthen our presence in the region.”

    “My focus will be on strengthening our regional operations and working closely with clients to support sustainable, long-term success.”

    Henrik Berndtson, AXS

    Berndtson has previously held senior leadership roles at Värmeverket Studios, All Things Live, TV4 Group, and Stockholm Globe Arenas/AEG.

    “I’m excited to join AXS and take on this role at a time when live entertainment across the Nordics is expanding in scale and complexity,” said Berndtson. “AXS has built a strong reputation globally for combining innovative technology with a partner-led approach. My focus will be on strengthening our regional operations and working closely with clients to support sustainable, long-term success.”

    Berndtson will report to Peter Quinlan, Managing Director of Europe, supporting AXS’s broader global strategy while maintaining a strong local focus.

    Former Ticketmaster executive Quinlan recently joined AXS alongside VP, Marketing, Europe, Hannah Rouch, with both newly-created roles forming part of the company’s expansion across Europe.

    AXS also established a joint venture with Japanese entertainment and ticketing company Lawson Entertainment in October 2025 to grow its presence in Japan, just weeks after agreeing to take a majority stake in Singapore-based ticketing platform SISTIC as part of a new strategic partnership.

    Elsewhere at AXS, last month, the company sued a website called SecureMyPass.com, alleging that it helps ticket brokers “spoof” online tickets to create counterfeit tickets that have left concertgoers stranded at venue doors.

    The complaint, filed in Los Angeles federal court on January 13, accuses the New Jersey-based website of trademark counterfeiting and infringement, unfair competition, and breach of contract.

    Music Business Worldwide

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