To accompany your break, and for you the ones holding the fort between the 2 weeks of winter break, we kept an eye out for the latest news from the music industry!
#1. Some pushback on Universal’s acquisition of Downtown
The global independent music community is raising concerns over UMG $775 million acquisition of Downtown Music, set to close in mid-2025. Organizations like IMPALA, IMPF, and AIM argue the deal represents harmful over-consolidation, reducing competition and indie market access.
IMPALA’s Helen Smith criticized the move as a “land grab,” calling for regulatory scrutiny to prevent UMG from further increasing its dominant market share. Similarly, IMPF highlighted the deal’s negative impact on music publishing diversity and songwriter opportunities. AIM’s CEO Gee Davy expressed worry about reduced options for independent artists and labels, emphasizing the need for balanced negotiating power in the music industry.
This acquisition, along with UMG’s recent purchase of [PIAS], signals a broader trend toward consolidation that many believe threatens the music ecosystem's diversity and fairness.
#2. Some thoughts on how we’ll experience music in the near future
As 2025 approaches, the music industry is set for transformative changes. Immersive technologies like AR and VR are reshaping music into a multi-sensory experience, while AI tools are becoming essential collaborators, allowing fans and artists to co-create in the newest ways. Genre boundaries are fading as global sounds and authenticity take center stage.
Meanwhile, the focus on mental health and sustainability is growing, with green touring practices and more inclusive industry standards gaining momentum. However, soaring ticket prices are sparking debate, highlighting the need for fairer, more accessible live music experiences. The future of music in 2025 looks bold and innovative, but success will depend on embracing these opportunities responsibly.
#3. Apple Music’s NYE livestream goes strong
Apple Music is closing out 2024 with a high-energy New Year’s Eve livestream event, "Apple Music Live: NYE," featuring performances by no one else than Björk, Skepta, amapiano star Uncle Waffles, and more, recorded in London. The celebration also includes a 24-hour DJ takeover on Apple Music 1 and Apple Music Club, spotlighting Justice, Rüfüs Du Sol, Erol Alkan, and Stacey Hotwaxx
It’s worth noting that all performances will be available in spatial audio, reinforcing Apple Music's commitment to immersive sound experiences. This event caps a year of growth for Apple’s radio network, which recently introduced new artist-led shows and additional stations.
#4. UMG and Spotify get back at Drake
Just as a follow-up on that front, Drake’s feud with UMG and Spotify escalated again, with Spotify firing back at allegations of artificially boosting streams for Kendrick Lamar’s diss track Not Like Us. Drake’s legal team accused UMG of using bots and offering Spotify discounted rates to promote the track, which Spotify denies, calling the claims “far-fetched” and stating there is “no economic incentive” to favor Lamar over Drake.
Spotify emphasized its efforts to combat artificial streaming, while UMG dismissed the accusations as offensive and baseless. Both artists release music under UMG, adding a layer of complexity.
#5. Where are the music videos?
Music videos used to be unmissable, but in today’s TikTok-fueled world of quick, snackable content, they’re fighting to stay relevant. While K-pop and Latin artists still dominate with billion-view spectacles, big names like Beyoncé and Drake are dialing back, and Anglo-American artists are seeing fewer views. Tight budgets are forcing directors to stretch their creativity, which isn’t helping.
The real issue? That might be TikTok’s short clips that drive trends, but they don’t deliver some lasting artistry of iconic MTV-era visuals. Industry pros are calling for a shift—fewer but better videos, with a focus on meaningful engagement rather than fleeting numbers. It might just be the way to save music videos from fading into the background.
