January has been a whirlwind month for the music industry, packed with major shifts and breaking stories. From high-profile acquisitions to game-changing legal battles, here are nine key headlines you might have missed!
Boiler Room Acquired by Superstruct Entertainment
The globally renowned streaming and events brand Boiler Room has been acquired by Superstruct Entertainment, the European events powerhouse behind festivals like Field Day, Creamfields, Elrow, and Sziget. The move signals a major shift in the live music landscape, with Superstruct expanding its reach in the underground and electronic scenes. Meanwhile, Boiler Room’s former owner, Dice, will remain its exclusive ticketing platform, ensuring continuity for fans and attendees.
TikTok Down In The USA
TikTok’s presence in the U.S. hangs in the balance as government scrutiny over data privacy concerns intensifies. While a potential ban looms, the app continues to operate, actively seeking a new owner to comply with U.S. regulations. Speculation is rife about who could take over, with names like Elon Musk and YouTuber-turned-businessman MrBeast reportedly in the mix as potential buyers.
Music Consumption Reaches New Heights
Music lovers in the UK spent more on recorded music in 2024 than ever before, with total consumer spending surpassing £2 billion. Streaming services and vinyl records drove this boom, proving that both digital and physical formats continue to thrive. Leading the sales charts were Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, and Fleetwood Mac, showcasing a mix of new-gen pop and timeless classics.
The Drumsheds Remain Open With Conditions
Despite facing scrutiny following two drug-related deaths, a stabbing, and multiple complaints of poor crowd management, London’s Drumsheds venue has retained its license. However, stricter safety protocols are now in place. Working closely with local police and the Safety Advisory Group (SAG), the venue has committed to strengthening crowd control, security, and welfare measures to ensure safer club nights going forward.
Drake Sues UMG Over Streaming Bots
Drake has taken legal action against his own label, Universal Music Group (UMG), accusing them of artificially inflating the streams of Kendrick Lamar’s diss track ‘Not Like Us’ through bot activity. In response, UMG has dismissed the claims as “untrue” and “illogical,” fueling further tensions between the rapper and his long-time label.
Streaming Services Expand Artist-Centric Royalties
Deezer and Sacem have announced an expansion of their ‘artist-centric’ royalty model to include publishing rights. This means that songwriters and composers in France can now benefit from increased royalties when their tracks hit certain streaming benchmarks. The move aims to create a more sustainable income model for artists in the digital age.
Remembering David Lynch
Visionary director David Lynch, known for his groundbreaking films and TV series such as Twin Peaks, Mulholland Drive, and Blue Velvet, has passed away at the age of 78. A true pioneer of surrealist cinema, Lynch’s legacy continues to inspire filmmakers, artists, and musicians across generations.
New Music Discovery App Launches
Music lovers and DJs have a new tool for discovering tracks with the launch of Lazyrecords. Created by Comfort Zone and Andrew Nowachi, the app taps into Discogs’ vast database to recommend music based on genre and user preferences. It aims to provide a fresh, algorithm-free approach to crate-digging in the digital era.
Ibiza Residency Announcments
The Ibiza 2025 season is taking shape with heavyweight artists locked in for major club residencies.
🔹 UNVRS – Carl Cox | Elrow | Fisher | Eric Prydz
🔹 Hï – Joseph Capriati | Glitterbox | Hannah Liang
🔹 Pacha – Music On | CamelPhat | Defected Records
🔹 DC-10 – Circoloco | Solid Grooves
Expect another season of high-energy parties, sunrise dance floors, and iconic moments on the White Isle.