Midweek Music Update: Wednesday 17 June 2026
Welcome to this fortnight's round-up of news, commentary and industry announcements that you may have missed from the past few weeks.
If you are looking for advice in relation to any of the issues mentioned, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
Legal updates
Lionel Richie moves to trademark his voice amid AI deepfake surge (MBW)
Google claims YouTube T&Cs permit AI training (Variety)
UK Musician's Union joins AI action against labels (ROTD)
Ricky Martin faces renewed copyright battle for ‘Vida’ FIFA anthem (DMN)
In the news
Warner Music Group acquires AI detection company Sureel (Hollywood Reporter)
Universal Music Group announces €1 billion bond sale (MBW)
National Music Publishers' Association unveils AI licensing deals with Udio and Klay (Music Week)
Collapse of Tickets.ie threatens Irish music festivals (DMN)
Suno raises $400 million after $5.4 billion valuation (Variety)
Curated streaming platform Cantilever raises £250,000 from indie labels (Musically)
Deezer launches cross-platform AI music detector (Music Week)
Other Songs Live and BRIT School collaboration raises £400,000 (ROTD)
Harbourview closes Chaka Khan catalogue deal (Hollywood Reporter)
Virgin Music Group sells Curve Royalty Systems to Merlin and Jamen Capital (Billboard)
Kensington Olympia's British Airways ARC launching as 'flagship' mid-sized venue (Music Week)
Donna Summer estate signs catalogue plus name, image and likeness deal with Primary Wave (Billboard)
YouTube launches exclusive online concert series 'Music Nights' (Musically)
Universal Music Group launches Def Jam Recordings North Africa (ROTD)
Features and commentary
Spotify's controversial iPhone disco-ball disappears (Variety)
Risk and higher costs cause UK festivals to close (Guardian)
