Midweek Music Update: Wednesday 22 April 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
$9.9m Live Nation settlement in DC deceptive ticketing claim (IQ Magazine)
India and South Asian markets launch announced for publisher Warner Chappell (MBW)
UK festival Boomtown receives approval until 2030 in face of objections (BBC)
Fashion brand Quince faces $10 billion action by UMG for alleged infringement on TikTok (MBW)
Drake appeals 'Not Like Us' UMG decision (Digital Music)
BigHit Music asks Californian judge to reveal identity behind BTS 'Arirang' album leak (MBW)
Kraftwerk loses European copyright case (CMU)
Megan Thee Stallion wins trial but loses injunction against blogger (Billboard)
Sony and Warner ask for more time in Cox Communications copyright lawsuit (MBW)
Mitch Winehouse loses case over Amy Winehouse auctioned items (BBC)
In the news
Simkins announces death of friend and former partner Paddy Grafton Green (Simkins)
Record Store Day returns for 2026 (NME)
The Great Escape Festival and Conference announce full programme (Great Escape Festival)
PPL reports music licensing revenues up 4.75% to £315 million for 2025 (Music Week)
Deezer reports 44% of new music uploaded to service is AI-generated (Deezer Newsroom)
ASCAP CEO awarded Billboard Women in Music Executive of the Year (Billboard)
Further Kanye West European tour dates cancelled (Guardian)
Udio signs deal with Kobalt (MBW)
Spice Girls' outfits appear at Barbican's '1996 Cool Britannia' exhibit (Independent)
UMG launches new digital platform 'Everything Jazz' (MBW)
Features and Commentary
Is the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame always right? (Can’t Get Much Higher)
Industry changes/developments
Call for Music Fan Association to give UK music lovers more representation (Record of the Day)
US subscription price rises for YouTube Premium and Music (MBW)
