With efforts to fight music piracy seen as largely successful, at least one music trade group executive is saying out loud what others in the industry have only dared whisper - the real problem keeping artists and labels from earning more from music isn't stream-ripping, it is the free music offered by Spotify and YouTube.

“Live music is one of the last tribal experiences which connect people in unique manners, to live their passions, express their personalities and ultimately bring more happiness and understanding to the world," said Bandsintown co-founder Fabrice Sergent during a wide-ranging interview on the Music Business podcast hosted by Sam Hysell and Jordan Williams recorded at the new Bandsintown offices in New York City.

We have reached a point where artists can run digital advertising simultaneously across Facebook, Instagram, and even YouTube with relative ease, but with your budget likely already tight, making every dollar spent on digital advertising go as far as possible is paramount. Here we look at some secrets for getting the most bang for your buck.

Reverb has a sign a deal to be acquired by Etsy for $275 million. The cash deal for the new and used musical instrument marketplace is expected to be finalized in the third or early fourth quarter of the year.

Apple Music has launched Rap Life, a new global playlist and Beats One radio show spotlighting the best new hip-hop.  The move comes in direct response to Spotify top-rated Rap Cavier playlist which has 11.7 million followers.

When it comes to dealing with fans/customers, many artists and organizations within the industry rely on archaic and ineffective systems for keeping their teams in synch, which can lead to all kinds of inefficiencies and missed opportunities. Here we look at a more effective way in which groups in the music industry interact with potential customers.

UPDATED: As the effects of the collapse of crowdfunder PledgeMusic rippled through the music community, Iain Baker of UK rock group Jesus Jones was one of its most outspoken critics.  Now, Baker has decided to do something about it with the formation of ROCCR.

Live Nation directly facilitated the sale of 88,000 Metallica tickets at inflated prices on the secondary ticketing market.  This strong piece of investigative journalism by Billboard's Dave Brooks has finally brought the long-standing practice out into the open.

MONDAY 7.22.19

Music Business News From Around The Web

Updated continuously under the More News tab

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