Universal Music Group CEO Lucian Grainge Tests Positive for Coronavirus

Universal Music boss Lucian Grainge has tested positive for coronavirus, according to multiple reports surfacing this weekend. Lucian Grainge, who recently celebrated his 60th birthday, is reportedly being treated at UCLA Medical Center for coronavirus…

Live Nation Stock Keeps Plunging — $8.3 Billion Lost In 30 Days

Shares of Live Nation continued nosediving on Thursday, with coronavirus complications causing a valuation loss of more than $8.3 billion. The plunge is part of a very bad week on Wall Street, based on continued fallout from the worldwide coronavirus p…

State of California Recommends Cancellation of Events Larger Than 250 People

California Department of Public Health (CDPH) officials have recommended that events involving more than 250 people—that is, the vast majority of sporting outings, concerts, and music festivals—be postponed until the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic’s s…

MUSEXPO 2020 Creative Summit Postponed — Here Are the Details

MUSEXPO 2020 Creative Summit has been indefinitely postponed following the World Health Organization’s pandemic declaration and broader travel bans. As a result of the World Health Organization’s officially declaring the coronavirus (COVID-…

Airbnb Refuses to Refund SXSW Reservations, Guests Start Fighting Back

Frustration mounts as SXSW ticketholders are denied refunds for Austin Airbnb stays. Airbnb previously expanded its “Extenuating Circumstances” refund policy to cover renters who had planned to stay in (or who live in) countries and areas that have bee…

Live Nation Stock Goes Into a Nosedive — $1.8 Billion Lost In One Day

Shares of Live Nation (LYV) took a nosedive on Wednesday as global coronavirus fears cripple concert touring and attendance. Just ten days ago, Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino downplayed coronavirus concerns, while pointing to a temporary disruption. &#…

Coachella, Stagecoach Officially Postponed — Here’s the Official Statement + Details

Last night, sources pointed to a postponement of both Coachella and Stagecoach festivals.  Now, both moves are official. The following announcement was emailed to Digital Music News shortly after 4 pm PT. Official Goldenvoice statement:  At the directi…

Led Zeppelin Didn’t Steal ‘Stairway to Heaven,’ Federal Appeals Court Rules

Led Zeppelin has officially beaten the rap on a long-running copyright infringement lawsuit surrounding ‘Stairway to Heaven’. The copyright infringement lawsuit against Led Zeppelin was first filed years ago by now-obscure classic rock back…

SXSW Refuses to Cancel. Do They Really Need the Money That Badly?

The City of Austin has declared that “no evidence” suggests that “closing SXSW… is going to make this community safer.”  And despite rising cancelations and protests, SXSW organizers remain adamant about keeping the festiv…

Spotify Is Expanding Its Pay-for-Promotion Program — Not Everyone Thinks That’s Such a Good Idea

Following the success of ‘Marquee,’ Spotify has greenlit the expansion of its artist advertising program.  But ‘paying for promotion’ is getting dangerously closely to ‘paying for play’ for many. Having experienced s…