Future of Music Coalition
@futureofmusic.bsky.social
Education, research and advocacy for musicians.
Reposted by Future of Music Coalition
all praise to @stereogum.com and also how depressing is it that the ai overview that is flat out wrong at least 43% of the time is strangling so much stereogum.com/2478838/ster...
Getting Killed By AI
Our new site is much better and we'd love your support.
stereogum.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:51 PM
all praise to @stereogum.com and also how depressing is it that the ai overview that is flat out wrong at least 43% of the time is strangling so much stereogum.com/2478838/ster...
Reposted by Future of Music Coalition
The federal legislation that addresses the lack of artist bargaining power which allows Discovery Mode to happen is @ross.house.gov's Protect Working Musicians Act. It's expected to be reintroduced sometime after the shutdown ends.
Spotify’s Discovery Mode allows artists to flag songs to be boosted in Spotify’s algorithmic recommendations in exchange for a 30% royalty commission—but a lawsuit accuses the streaming company of boosting artists who pay them.
Spotify Hit With Class Action Lawsuit Alleging Discovery Mode Is A ‘Pay-For-Play Scheme’
Spotify’s Discovery Mode allows artists to flag songs to be boosted in Spotify’s algorithmic recommendations in exchange for a 30% royalty commission—but a lawsuit accuses the streaming company of boosting artists who pay them.
www.forbes.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:11 PM
The federal legislation that addresses the lack of artist bargaining power which allows Discovery Mode to happen is @ross.house.gov's Protect Working Musicians Act. It's expected to be reintroduced sometime after the shutdown ends.
Uh, congrats to Tsunami on their Grammy nomination!
November 7, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Uh, congrats to Tsunami on their Grammy nomination!
The federal legislation that addresses the lack of artist bargaining power which allows Discovery Mode to happen is @ross.house.gov's Protect Working Musicians Act. It's expected to be reintroduced sometime after the shutdown ends.
Spotify’s Discovery Mode allows artists to flag songs to be boosted in Spotify’s algorithmic recommendations in exchange for a 30% royalty commission—but a lawsuit accuses the streaming company of boosting artists who pay them.
Spotify Hit With Class Action Lawsuit Alleging Discovery Mode Is A ‘Pay-For-Play Scheme’
Spotify’s Discovery Mode allows artists to flag songs to be boosted in Spotify’s algorithmic recommendations in exchange for a 30% royalty commission—but a lawsuit accuses the streaming company of boosting artists who pay them.
www.forbes.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:11 PM
The federal legislation that addresses the lack of artist bargaining power which allows Discovery Mode to happen is @ross.house.gov's Protect Working Musicians Act. It's expected to be reintroduced sometime after the shutdown ends.
Discovery Mode has been under fire from groups like us and @artistrightsnow.bsky.social for years, and Reps. Nadler and Johnson sent a letter on the issue in 2021. nadler.house.gov/news/documen... The issue is ripe for an FTC rulemaking.
November 7, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Discovery Mode has been under fire from groups like us and @artistrightsnow.bsky.social for years, and Reps. Nadler and Johnson sent a letter on the issue in 2021. nadler.house.gov/news/documen... The issue is ripe for an FTC rulemaking.
This is what independent music media is for
Since 2022, Horsegirl, Lifeguard, and Friko have gone global—but what happened with the teen scene they grew out of? I talked to 18 different people about the Hallogallo scene now
chicagoreader.com/music/music-...
chicagoreader.com/music/music-...
What happens when a teen rock scene grows up? - Chicago Reader
The Hallogallo scene has produced international successes—Horsegirl, Friko, Lifeguard—as its grassroots DIY spirit spreads beyond Chicago.
chicagoreader.com
November 7, 2025 at 12:48 AM
This is what independent music media is for
One thing that punk rock teaches us all is how to stand up to bullies.
Another is that monopolies suck.
Another is that monopolies suck.
November 4, 2025 at 9:44 PM
One thing that punk rock teaches us all is how to stand up to bullies.
Another is that monopolies suck.
Another is that monopolies suck.
This report is interesting, but if the point is to learn lessons, maybe it would be worth interviewing people who tried to talk to the Biden White House and found, disturbingly/surprisingly, that they were listening to Stubhub-funded astroturf groups and not reaching out to musician advocates.
NEW 📰: Building a more effective government that moves beyond the status quo requires honest reflection.
Drawing on interviews with more than 45 former senior Biden officials, our latest report offers 161 practical recommendations for better governance.
https://bit.ly/4312Zid
Drawing on interviews with more than 45 former senior Biden officials, our latest report offers 161 practical recommendations for better governance.
https://bit.ly/4312Zid
October 29, 2025 at 12:34 AM
This report is interesting, but if the point is to learn lessons, maybe it would be worth interviewing people who tried to talk to the Biden White House and found, disturbingly/surprisingly, that they were listening to Stubhub-funded astroturf groups and not reaching out to musician advocates.
Very helpful piece by @cushac.bsky.social unpacking the problem of AI Slop
A list of recent targets includes Uncle Tupelo, Sophie, Blaze Foley, and Wild Pink. What is going on here?
Why Is It So Easy to Flood Streaming With AI Slop?
And what the hell is Operation Clown Dump?
www.hearingthings.co
October 28, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Very helpful piece by @cushac.bsky.social unpacking the problem of AI Slop
Reposted by Future of Music Coalition
The hearing on CM Allen’s RESALE Act is tomorrow! Learn more and tune in: www.charlesallenward6.com/media_adviso...
October 21, 2025 at 3:45 PM
The hearing on CM Allen’s RESALE Act is tomorrow! Learn more and tune in: www.charlesallenward6.com/media_adviso...
Yet another fake anti-Ticketmaster group obviously funded by resellers has launched. Their standard tactic: try to dupe people into opposing artists’ and venues’ proposed new laws.
Beware “Beat the Bots” and beware any other group that who won’t say who’s behind it!
Beware “Beat the Bots” and beware any other group that who won’t say who’s behind it!
October 17, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Yet another fake anti-Ticketmaster group obviously funded by resellers has launched. Their standard tactic: try to dupe people into opposing artists’ and venues’ proposed new laws.
Beware “Beat the Bots” and beware any other group that who won’t say who’s behind it!
Beware “Beat the Bots” and beware any other group that who won’t say who’s behind it!
Works out to roughly $19,656 USD per enrolled musician at a cost of about $7.43 per Irish citizen. In contrast, the US Govt spends only about 59 cents per citizen on the entire national endowment for the arts (across all artistic disciplines).
Ireland’s government is pressing ahead with plans to permanently implement a basic income scheme that will support 2,000+ artists, creative workers and musicians in 2026
djmag.com/news/ireland...
djmag.com/news/ireland...
Ireland’s basic income scheme for artists to be made permanent in 2026
The scheme aims to support 2,000 artists and creative workers, paying each successful applicant €325 a week
djmag.com
October 11, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Works out to roughly $19,656 USD per enrolled musician at a cost of about $7.43 per Irish citizen. In contrast, the US Govt spends only about 59 cents per citizen on the entire national endowment for the arts (across all artistic disciplines).
Artists: a holiday weekend is a good moment to get your paperwork in order. Sign up with @soundexchange.bsky.social , the MLC, and your composition PRO of choice, otherwise you may be leaving a big chunk of your streaming money on the table!
October 11, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Artists: a holiday weekend is a good moment to get your paperwork in order. Sign up with @soundexchange.bsky.social , the MLC, and your composition PRO of choice, otherwise you may be leaving a big chunk of your streaming money on the table!
Reposted by Future of Music Coalition
Especially in light of the shutdown of @wcsb.bsky.social yesterday, it's important to know that college radio IS thriving and plays a vital role in many students' lives. Thanks to @emwhitenoise.bsky.social for this great piece that takes a closer look at why Gen Z is excited about college radio.
College radio stations are seeing a surge in student interest.
Stations that once struggled to fill airtime are now overflowing with student DJs.
I spoke to 7 college radio stations across the U.S. to understand what is driving the revival:
emwhitenoise.substack.com/p/gen-zs-col...
Stations that once struggled to fill airtime are now overflowing with student DJs.
I spoke to 7 college radio stations across the U.S. to understand what is driving the revival:
emwhitenoise.substack.com/p/gen-zs-col...
October 5, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Especially in light of the shutdown of @wcsb.bsky.social yesterday, it's important to know that college radio IS thriving and plays a vital role in many students' lives. Thanks to @emwhitenoise.bsky.social for this great piece that takes a closer look at why Gen Z is excited about college radio.
Live Nation news: in addition to the DOJ antitrust case and the FTC consumer protection lawsuit, there are a couple of pending class action suits. LNE tried to dismiss one of these by saying its arbitration provisions preclude class action, but SCOTUS said no. www.courthousenews.com/live-nation-...
Live Nation loses SCOTUS appeal, forcing ticket seller to face antitrust suit
A lower court found that Live Nation and Ticketmaster's switch to a different arbitration scheme without clearly informing their customers “boggles the mind.”
www.courthousenews.com
October 7, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Live Nation news: in addition to the DOJ antitrust case and the FTC consumer protection lawsuit, there are a couple of pending class action suits. LNE tried to dismiss one of these by saying its arbitration provisions preclude class action, but SCOTUS said no. www.courthousenews.com/live-nation-...
Always worth considering this guy’s insights 👇
the thing about social media is that like a lot of successful technological developments it sort of disseminates its own myth -- these myths are I think always (avoid saying "always" without numbers to back it up tho) progress fables rich with notions of inevitability
October 7, 2025 at 2:32 AM
Always worth considering this guy’s insights 👇
The recent victory that Portland, Maine activists won against LiveNation is huge—but not without precedent, as it follows the Chicago Independent Venue League’s successful fight. Understanding this history is important, because there’s so much that can be learned. pitchfork.com/news/chicago...
Chicago Indie Clubs Band Together to Fight New Live Nation Venues
Empty Bottle, Metro, Schubas, the Hideout, and more team up to delay the $5 billion Lincoln Yards development
pitchfork.com
October 7, 2025 at 2:08 AM
The recent victory that Portland, Maine activists won against LiveNation is huge—but not without precedent, as it follows the Chicago Independent Venue League’s successful fight. Understanding this history is important, because there’s so much that can be learned. pitchfork.com/news/chicago...
Reposted by Future of Music Coalition
For the past 17 years Kym Register has owned The Pinhook, one of Durham's most esteemed clubs. WUNC music reporter @brianburns.bsky.social recently sat down with Register to talk about the history of the club and what came before it.
www.wunc.org/wunc-music/2...
www.wunc.org/wunc-music/2...
Kym Register and the legacy of The Pinhook
For the past 17 years Kym Register has owned The Pinhook, one of Durham's most esteemed clubs.
www.wunc.org
October 6, 2025 at 6:45 PM
For the past 17 years Kym Register has owned The Pinhook, one of Durham's most esteemed clubs. WUNC music reporter @brianburns.bsky.social recently sat down with Register to talk about the history of the club and what came before it.
www.wunc.org/wunc-music/2...
www.wunc.org/wunc-music/2...
We agree with Lina Khan, who suggested that unlicensed AI training on music that then is used to compete with the original music likely qualifies as an unfair method of competition under the FTC Act.
October 1, 2025 at 6:27 PM
We agree with Lina Khan, who suggested that unlicensed AI training on music that then is used to compete with the original music likely qualifies as an unfair method of competition under the FTC Act.
Perhaps Ek’s become a liability for the company in light of his complete inability to read the room when addressing artist frustrations and his investment portfolio. But nothing indicates meaningful moves toward accountability or responsibility toward artists.
#Spotify CEO Daniel Ek is standing down from his position to take up a new role as executive chair of the streaming company. Controversially, Ek is also the founder of the investment fund Prima Materia
buff.ly/TjTIN2m
buff.ly/TjTIN2m
September 30, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Perhaps Ek’s become a liability for the company in light of his complete inability to read the room when addressing artist frustrations and his investment portfolio. But nothing indicates meaningful moves toward accountability or responsibility toward artists.
We're unlikely to see much of an exodus from YouTube even among the part of the artist community that finds this deeply problematic on free speech grounds. That's because YouTube makes it deeply difficult to get your music off the platform; it's much more challenging than with Spotify.
BREAKING
YouTube has agreed to pay $24.5 million to settle the lawsuit brought by President Trump against the company for suspending his account.
Most of the funds will go towards the fund the president setup for the White House ballroom.
Full Story: on.wsj.com/46IT4P1
YouTube has agreed to pay $24.5 million to settle the lawsuit brought by President Trump against the company for suspending his account.
Most of the funds will go towards the fund the president setup for the White House ballroom.
Full Story: on.wsj.com/46IT4P1
September 29, 2025 at 10:02 PM
We're unlikely to see much of an exodus from YouTube even among the part of the artist community that finds this deeply problematic on free speech grounds. That's because YouTube makes it deeply difficult to get your music off the platform; it's much more challenging than with Spotify.
Here’s the Heritage Foundation saying price caps on ticket resale are bad. Actually, though, price caps on resale are good. townhall.com/columnists/t...
After Getting Sued by Trump’s FTC, Ticketmaster Wants the President to Expand Its Monopoly
Ticketmaster faces FTC lawsuit amid concerns of monopolistic practices and ticketing fairness.
townhall.com
September 29, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Here’s the Heritage Foundation saying price caps on ticket resale are bad. Actually, though, price caps on resale are good. townhall.com/columnists/t...
@ednewtonrex.bsky.social argues Spotify is completely unserious about combating AI music. The policy challenge is that independent creators lack a seat at the negotiating table (but distributors who profit from AI slop do have a seat.) fairtraining.substack.com/p/spotify-is...
Spotify is completely unserious about combating AI music
Their new policies on AI music do little to protect musicians.
fairtraining.substack.com
September 29, 2025 at 12:12 PM
@ednewtonrex.bsky.social argues Spotify is completely unserious about combating AI music. The policy challenge is that independent creators lack a seat at the negotiating table (but distributors who profit from AI slop do have a seat.) fairtraining.substack.com/p/spotify-is...
The incuriosity of a particular kind of pundit.
September 26, 2025 at 8:51 PM
The incuriosity of a particular kind of pundit.
@ashleybelanger.bsky.social has one of the more lucid explanations of what's in the new FTC Ticketmaster lawsuit here: arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...
Meanwhile the DOJ monopoly suit is set to go to trial in spring 2026.
Meanwhile the DOJ monopoly suit is set to go to trial in spring 2026.
“Yikes”: Internal emails reveal Ticketmaster helped scalpers jack up prices, FTC says
FTC sued Ticketmaster and Live Nation for turning “blind eye” to scalpers.
arstechnica.com
September 26, 2025 at 5:42 PM
@ashleybelanger.bsky.social has one of the more lucid explanations of what's in the new FTC Ticketmaster lawsuit here: arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...
Meanwhile the DOJ monopoly suit is set to go to trial in spring 2026.
Meanwhile the DOJ monopoly suit is set to go to trial in spring 2026.