Future of Music Coalition
Education, research and advocacy for musicians.
- Good news for Californians who like affordability and fairness in live music. Another sign of growing momentum.
- Congratulations to Robert Smith and The Cure on the Grammy wins! We're grateful for your leadership in working for a healthier and more sustainable music business for fans and artists alike!
- Another headline we can't argue with.
- At 2:30 EST we'll be covering the Senate Commerce Subcommittee hearing on Live Event Ticketing. Yes, Kid Rock is testifying. www.commerce.senate.gov/2026/1/exami...
- Tomorrow, Senate Commerce committee will get to hear from reseller lobbyist Brian Berry.
- Congress has passed FY26 funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities at $207 million each - holding steady with no cuts despite another zero-out request in the President’s budget. The votes: House: 397-28 Senate: 82-15 ht: Americans for the Arts
- Bandcamp has banned Gen AI music and audio from its platform. But Bandcamp hasn’t had as serious a problem with AI as mainstream DSPs, because of the way the service is structured. There’s no incentive to upload a glut of derivative tracks, hoping for a playlist driven windfall.
- Seeing some misunderstanding about the major label lawsuits against Suno & Udio. WMG has settled with both Suno & Udio. UMG settled with Udio but not Suno. Sony hasn't settled with either. The lawsuits are definitely still live.
- Mamdani's administration plans to use existing authority to go after companies illegally hiding fees. Right now, Ticketmaster is breaking NY state law by hiding fee breakdowns behind additional toggles and clicks. (same with Seatgeek, Stubhub etc.) Fees are supposed to be clear & conspicuous!
- Happy holidays, everyone!
- Zohran doubles down on his call to cap resale! While his focus is on FIFA, this is something that musicians have backed all over the US, and is already the law in much of the rest of the world. Last month, the UK joined the growing list of countries capping resale at face value.
- Musicians' international winning streak on ticketing legislation continues: New Jersey's A5611, opposed by artists, indie venues, and arts nonprofits, and supported by predatory resellers has been held in committee, and won't advance this session. #fixthetix
- 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:
- Very sad news.
