Future of Music Coalition
@futureofmusic.bsky.social
Education, research and advocacy for musicians.
Look, we get it. But it's a sign of just how broad the consensus in the artist community to solve this problem of radio royalties is. As Gene just said, “14 billion dollars just last year! It’s not equitable! That’s a big word!”
Gene Simmons being right about something makes me worried….
December 9, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Look, we get it. But it's a sign of just how broad the consensus in the artist community to solve this problem of radio royalties is. As Gene just said, “14 billion dollars just last year! It’s not equitable! That’s a big word!”
The Senate Judiciary Committee is now considering the American Music Fairness Act. Gene Simmons from KISS will shortly be testifying. Watch live:
TIME CHANGE: Balancing the Interests of Local Radio, Songwriters, and Performers in the Digital Age | United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary
United States Senate Committee on the Judiciary
www.judiciary.senate.gov
December 9, 2025 at 8:12 PM
The Senate Judiciary Committee is now considering the American Music Fairness Act. Gene Simmons from KISS will shortly be testifying. Watch live:
Very sad news.
December 9, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Very sad news.
Today, Gene Simmons of KISS is testifying before Congress about an issue that has frustrated us for years: the lack of a performance right for sound recordings on terrestrial radio in the US.
Did you know that artists don't get paid when their music is played on AM/FM radio?
Did you know that artists don't get paid when their music is played on AM/FM radio?
Opinion | Gene Simmons: Congress, I have a plea for you
Long ago, broadcast radio helped bands like Kiss break through. Today, that business model is broken.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 9, 2025 at 5:21 PM
Today, Gene Simmons of KISS is testifying before Congress about an issue that has frustrated us for years: the lack of a performance right for sound recordings on terrestrial radio in the US.
Did you know that artists don't get paid when their music is played on AM/FM radio?
Did you know that artists don't get paid when their music is played on AM/FM radio?
Artists want lawmakers to cap ticket resale at or near face value in order to keep our shows fairly priced for fans. But resale-industry lobbyists want to stop this, because it would jeopardize these companies' profits.
So they lie and say that caps encourage fraud.
So they lie and say that caps encourage fraud.
December 8, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Artists want lawmakers to cap ticket resale at or near face value in order to keep our shows fairly priced for fans. But resale-industry lobbyists want to stop this, because it would jeopardize these companies' profits.
So they lie and say that caps encourage fraud.
So they lie and say that caps encourage fraud.
Good news: congressional efforts to cram an AI regulation moratorium into the NDAA (a must pass defense bill) have been abandoned. This is a win for musicians, who've wanted state govts to protect them and their fans from abusive practices by AI firms.
December 8, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Good news: congressional efforts to cram an AI regulation moratorium into the NDAA (a must pass defense bill) have been abandoned. This is a win for musicians, who've wanted state govts to protect them and their fans from abusive practices by AI firms.
Part of the problem is that the term "AI" is applied so broadly that it encompasses vastly different technologies, some of which have been part of standard studio workflow for years (they used to just be called machine learning)!
Grammys address rules for AI as artists like Pusha T, Charlie Puth, Teddy Swims say they've used it
Grammys Address Rules For AI-Powered Music
Harvey Mason Jr. says the “toughest part” of his job as president/CEO of the Recording Academy and MusiCares is figuring out what to do about AI. “I represent 40,000 members of the academy, and we’re ...
stereogum.com
December 4, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Part of the problem is that the term "AI" is applied so broadly that it encompasses vastly different technologies, some of which have been part of standard studio workflow for years (they used to just be called machine learning)!
Liz's book probably permanently changed the conversation around Spotify this year. Her year-end reflections are absolutely worth reading.
I wrote about listening, thinking, reflection, memory & not “offloading” it all to sp*tify!
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/d...
www.theguardian.com/music/2025/d...
Spotify Wrapped is taking over our feeds, but you don’t have outsource your relationship with music to AI | Liz Pelly
The streamer’s annual charts are just another version of the tech that’s alienating us from our inner lives. Hold on to your musical memories and reclaim ownership of your taste
www.theguardian.com
December 4, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Liz's book probably permanently changed the conversation around Spotify this year. Her year-end reflections are absolutely worth reading.
Seeing some misinformation circulating about what unions can do in contracts to combat AI. Unions can bargain over the use of AI by signatory companies but they can’t bargain to forbid licensing deals with licensing companies.
December 3, 2025 at 3:47 AM
Seeing some misinformation circulating about what unions can do in contracts to combat AI. Unions can bargain over the use of AI by signatory companies but they can’t bargain to forbid licensing deals with licensing companies.
This summer, the FTC brought a BOTS Act enforcement action against ticket reseller Key Investment Group, but Key Investment Group's trying to get the motion dismissed, by saying that the law only covers bots-- which they say they don't use.
Federal Trade Commission, Key Investment Group aim to toss cases
A ticket broker has reportedly asked to throw out the US Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) case that accuses it of bypassing Ticketmaster limits to buy and resell hundreds of thousands of concert ticke...
www.theticketingbusiness.com
December 1, 2025 at 7:48 PM
This summer, the FTC brought a BOTS Act enforcement action against ticket reseller Key Investment Group, but Key Investment Group's trying to get the motion dismissed, by saying that the law only covers bots-- which they say they don't use.
Reposted by Future of Music Coalition
If you’re not a music creator, you might not be able to see the aggressive use of targeted ads to try and promote Suno to music creators—both pro and hobbyist. It looks like a desperate attempt to both normalize the tech and drive adoption in the absence of organic demand.
November 30, 2025 at 4:39 PM
If you’re not a music creator, you might not be able to see the aggressive use of targeted ads to try and promote Suno to music creators—both pro and hobbyist. It looks like a desperate attempt to both normalize the tech and drive adoption in the absence of organic demand.
Shoutout to small venues & promoters, small studios & pressing plants, small labels/publishers, small booking/ management firms, small publicists, small record shops, small instrument/gear shops & manufacturers, LPFM stations, and small music publications. Small is beautiful! #SmallBusinessSaturday
November 30, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Shoutout to small venues & promoters, small studios & pressing plants, small labels/publishers, small booking/ management firms, small publicists, small record shops, small instrument/gear shops & manufacturers, LPFM stations, and small music publications. Small is beautiful! #SmallBusinessSaturday
It can be confusing to keep track of all the lawsuits against Ticketmaster. There are at least four!
1)DOJ antitrust case (could lead to a breakup)
2)FTC BOTS act case (probably just big fines)
3)Heckman class action (faces steeper odds)
4)Swiftie class action (same)
1)DOJ antitrust case (could lead to a breakup)
2)FTC BOTS act case (probably just big fines)
3)Heckman class action (faces steeper odds)
4)Swiftie class action (same)
November 29, 2025 at 9:00 PM
It can be confusing to keep track of all the lawsuits against Ticketmaster. There are at least four!
1)DOJ antitrust case (could lead to a breakup)
2)FTC BOTS act case (probably just big fines)
3)Heckman class action (faces steeper odds)
4)Swiftie class action (same)
1)DOJ antitrust case (could lead to a breakup)
2)FTC BOTS act case (probably just big fines)
3)Heckman class action (faces steeper odds)
4)Swiftie class action (same)
Once again, very frustrating that there's so little detail about what's in this, but too much detail would raise legal concerns about illegal coordination between various labels. Opt-in is an important guardrail, but certainly not enough to ease many artists' fears.
hmmmmMMMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmm another major A.I. settlement with "opt-in" and "licensed" provisions
November 25, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Once again, very frustrating that there's so little detail about what's in this, but too much detail would raise legal concerns about illegal coordination between various labels. Opt-in is an important guardrail, but certainly not enough to ease many artists' fears.
Reposted by Future of Music Coalition
It has been pointed out to me that this means 2.5 billion-dollar AI music company Suno has spent less money on music than many individual music fans
Billboard got access to Suno’s investment pitch deck.
It revealed that Suno has spent $32 million on compute, and $2,000 on training data.
Let that sink in.
www.billboard.com/pro/suno-cre...
It revealed that Suno has spent $32 million on compute, and $2,000 on training data.
Let that sink in.
www.billboard.com/pro/suno-cre...
November 25, 2025 at 10:28 AM
It has been pointed out to me that this means 2.5 billion-dollar AI music company Suno has spent less money on music than many individual music fans
“Fixing the dysfunction in live entertainment requires looking at all the pieces,” he said. “We must cap resale, create and enforce strong rules of the road to protect fans and workers, and we must break up Live Nation.”
Could a New Ticketing Law in the U.K. Finally Curb Scalpers?
The U.K. said it plans on banning reselling tickets above face value in an effort to stop fans getting gouged for in-demand shows on the secondary market.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
November 23, 2025 at 1:43 AM
“Fixing the dysfunction in live entertainment requires looking at all the pieces,” he said. “We must cap resale, create and enforce strong rules of the road to protect fans and workers, and we must break up Live Nation.”
Warner is saying that any AI deals they'll agree to as a company will be opt-in only. That's consistent with the principles we all agreed to via Human Artistry Campaign. Even if you think gen AI music sucks, that's an important guardrail. www.wmg.com/news/growing...
Growing the Value of Music for Artists and Songwriters - Warner Music Group
AI is still in its early days. Investment is surging, talent is. . .
www.wmg.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Warner is saying that any AI deals they'll agree to as a company will be opt-in only. That's consistent with the principles we all agreed to via Human Artistry Campaign. Even if you think gen AI music sucks, that's an important guardrail. www.wmg.com/news/growing...
Reposted by Future of Music Coalition
Almost $1M to the all-ages DIY venue, The Vera Project!!…
Paul Allen foundation will gift $7 million to this Seattle arts hub
On Wednesday, Allen Family Philanthropies announced that it will give nearly $7 million to eight arts and cultural organizations on the Seattle Center campus.
www.seattletimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Almost $1M to the all-ages DIY venue, The Vera Project!!…
Reposted by Future of Music Coalition
Op-ed: @jagjaguwar.bsky.social founder Darius Van Arman on the challenges facing independent artists and labels in today's music industry and how regulators can help
Op-Ed: The Struggle For Independence In The Modern Age
Jagjaguwar's Darius Van Arman on our shared fight against market concentration and for art, culture, and access.
stereogum.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Op-ed: @jagjaguwar.bsky.social founder Darius Van Arman on the challenges facing independent artists and labels in today's music industry and how regulators can help
We don't know what's in these deals. If you're someone who thinks gen AI music is horrible for artists, it's possible that some major label licensing deals that create walled playgrounds could actually help rein in unlicensed services that are currently filling the streaming services with slop.
Major labels strike landmark deal to license catalogs for AI music startup
Major Labels Strike Landmark Deal To License Catalogs For AI Music Startup
It doesn’t matter if nobody actually wants AI music; the major labels are still going to push it on us. Reuters reports that Universal Music Group, Sony Music, and Warner Music Group, the three curren...
stereogum.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:08 PM
We don't know what's in these deals. If you're someone who thinks gen AI music is horrible for artists, it's possible that some major label licensing deals that create walled playgrounds could actually help rein in unlicensed services that are currently filling the streaming services with slop.
"Fixing the dysfunction in live entertainment requires looking at all the pieces. We must cap resale, create and enforce strong rules of the road to protect fans and workers, and we must break up Live Nation"
Could a New Ticketing Law in the U.K. Finally Curb Scalpers?
The U.K. said it plans on banning reselling tickets above face value in an effort to stop fans getting gouged for in-demand shows on the secondary market.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:35 PM
"Fixing the dysfunction in live entertainment requires looking at all the pieces. We must cap resale, create and enforce strong rules of the road to protect fans and workers, and we must break up Live Nation"
For context, defendants’ motions to dismiss are really common, even in antitrust trials that are ultimately successful. It isn’t a sign of anything about the merits of the case.
Live Nation Moves to Crush DOJ Antitrust Case With Motion to Dismiss
Live Nation Moves to Crush DOJ Antitrust Case With Motion to Dismiss
Live Nation argues DOJ antitrust case is built on weak evidence, seeking dismissal before trial.
bit.ly
November 19, 2025 at 11:54 PM
For context, defendants’ motions to dismiss are really common, even in antitrust trials that are ultimately successful. It isn’t a sign of anything about the merits of the case.
A very bad ruling that means social media is likely to keep getting more extractive and less useful for musicians connecting with listeners.
Breaking: Meta won the antitrust case brought against it by the FTC. Judge rules it's not a monopoly. www.theverge.com/news/823191/...
Meta is not a monopolist, judge rules
The FTC failed to prove it broke US antitrust laws.
www.theverge.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:03 PM
A very bad ruling that means social media is likely to keep getting more extractive and less useful for musicians connecting with listeners.
Encouraging to see this momentum on both sides of the Atlantic.
November 18, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Encouraging to see this momentum on both sides of the Atlantic.