NON-ENGLISH ACTS REACH 30% OF LIVE NATION'S TOP-50 TOURS

Non-English-speaking artists now account for 30% of Live Nation's biggest tours, but the small venues that develop new acts are closing.

What Berchtold told investors

Live Nation president and chief financial officer Joe Berchtold told investors on September 9 that non-English-speaking artists now account for 30% of the company's top 50 tours, up from 8% before the pandemic.

He was speaking at Goldman Sachs' Communacopia + Technology Conference, in a…

14 SEPTEMBER 2026
DISTRIBUTORS ADOPT NEW STREAMING-FRAUD SAFEGUARDS

WHAT HAPPENED
More than a dozen music companies backed the Streaming Integrity Initiative. Its voluntary guidelines call for identity and rights checks, content vetting, action against repeat offenders and intelligence-sharing to stop fraudulent uploads and artificial streams.

WHY INDEPENDENT ARTISTS SHOULD CARE
Legitimate releases may face closer checks. Clear ownership records can separate your work from bad actors.

THE DEEPER ARTIST LESSON
Your…

13 SEPTEMBER 2026
SERATO DJ 5.0 ENTERS PUBLIC BETA

WHAT HAPPENED
Serato released DJ 5.0 as a public beta for Pro and Lite. New Lucid Beatgrids adapt to tempo changes; Open Streaming lets DJs search and mix across supported services and local files without switching accounts. Cue Loops are Pro-only.

WHY INDEPENDENT ARTISTS SHOULD CARE
For working DJs, better grids can reduce prep on live-drummed music. But beta software can fail—and streaming access is not ownership.

THE DEEPER ARTIST LESSON
Convenience expands…

12 SEPTEMBER 2026
SUPERSTRUCT PUBLISHES ARTISTIC CODE FOR 80+ FESTIVALS

WHAT HAPPENED
Superstruct published an Artistic Code for its 80-plus event brands. It says artists will not be censored merely for controversial views and performances should be interrupted only for safety. Local law, safety rules and contracts still apply.

WHY INDEPENDENT ARTISTS SHOULD CARE
Its Showday Code will be incorporated into artist agreements. A promise helps, but signed terms define the relationship.

THE DEEPER ARTIST LESSON
…

11 SEPTEMBER 2026
UMG AND ELEVENLABS PLAN LICENSED AI MUSIC PLATFORM

WHAT HAPPENED
UMG and ElevenLabs announced a platform where fans can remix, mash up and reinterpret music from participating artists and songwriters. They say artists and writers will share in the value, but no launch date or payment formula was published.

WHY INDEPENDENT ARTISTS SHOULD CARE
It is for participating UMG music—not an open indie tool. But it shows derivative AI uses are becoming licensable rights, not just promotion.

THE DEEPER…