> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://www.hypebot.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # The Week in Review: Oct 16-22, 2026 - URL: https://www.hypebot.com/the-week-in-review-oct-16-22-2026/ - Published: 2026-10-23T11:14:00.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-23T11:13:59.000Z - Author: Hypebot Editorial Desk - Tags: The Week In Review, email newsletters, newsletter, #beyondwords-skip Here's a rundown of some of our favorite stories from this week on [**Hypebot**](https://www.hypebot.com/). As always, thanks for reading and being part of our growing community of artists, managers, and industry pros. ### **Top Stories** [The “Phantom” Festival That VanishedWhat happens when a music festival ghosts its own booking agents?![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/icon/Frame-78-3e7b064e-cc20-4373-ac35-a50d548ad2f9.png)HypebotHypebot Editorial Desk![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/thumbnail/10-20-ghost-festivals-23c7fdb3-2aa0-415e-b680-46c938847ae9.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/the-phantom-festival-that-vanished/) [Selena Gomez Says Vaping “Changed” Her Voice — Here’s What’s Actually Going OnThe actor and singer's vaping-and-voice admission anchors Hypebot's practical explainer on how vaping actually damages vocal cords.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/icon/Frame-78-786078c9-6395-47f1-b945-98182e435002.png)HypebotHypebot Editorial Desk![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/thumbnail/10-20-selena-1136208f-2711-4fda-a25e-7a59f8e7cf0f.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/selena-gomez-says-vaping-changed-her-voice-heres-whats-actually-going-on/) [Virtual Concerts Still Exist. Why Aren’t We Talking About Them?What would make virtual concerts worth sustained attention — huge attendance numbers, compelling performances, or meaningful income for artists?![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/icon/Frame-78-8d5ad385-18db-4234-bd0f-8d99a342b081.png)HypebotHypebot Editorial Desk![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/thumbnail/Screenshot-2026-10-13-at-10.55.18---AM-934b8241-19e6-4630-82da-8f3963843004.png)](https://www.hypebot.com/virtual-concerts-still-exist-why-arent-we-talking-about-them/) [‘No Humiliation Allowed’: MARIS Is Asking You to Dance Like Nobody’s FilmingDIY pop artist MARIS wants fans to dance without fear of being filmed and mocked online, are performers responsible for helping fans feel comfortable (letting go)?![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/icon/Frame-78-a2b332fa-a139-4cd6-baef-e2a653a50b9e.png)HypebotJeremy Young![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/thumbnail/10-19-maris-b4c7fbd1-e6da-433e-8867-ad13ba2bef57.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/no-humiliation-allowed-maris-is-asking-you-to-dance-like-nobodys-filming/) ### **Advice & Tips** [What Should You Check Before Signing Up With a Music Distributor?When choosing a distribution partner, look beyond price at things like: catalog protection, release codes, exit terms, support, payouts, and more.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/icon/Frame-78-56b7cc64-2102-42f3-8c59-abf1aac0df3c.png)HypebotGuest Author![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/thumbnail/6-9-88--1-c003f820-3717-42eb-9c63-ad6660fcd9d3.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/what-should-you-check-before-signing-up-with-a-music-distributor/) [When the Best Career Move Is to Stop Asking the Industry to Let You InAfter years of seeking acceptance from Americana’s institutions, one artist reflects on the cost of chasing industry validation; and the freedom of not belonging.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/icon/Frame-78-d59a6eeb-2613-43e9-9f61-c9d5a2d8c50e.png)HypebotGuest Author![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/thumbnail/20261015_Adeem-0166-24cc1cb4-30f5-4768-a138-130b70aa009c.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/when-the-best-career-move-is-to-stop-asking-the-industry-to-let-you-in/) [How Artists Can Streamline Bandcamp Merch Orders on PrintfulPractical tips for fulfilling Bandcamp merch orders through Printful, even if the two platforms don't really integrate.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/icon/Frame-78-b6339197-707c-4ea5-b982-f0280c1ad331.png)HypebotGuest Author![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/thumbnail/10-22-bandbridge-31f07541-5fc0-4c4d-90b0-2db1e7f47fd0.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/how-artists-can-streamline-bandcamp-merch-orders-on-printful/) [5 Ways To Grow Your Music Industry NetworkGreat music isn’t enough. Building a real music industry network creates real career opportunities. Learn where and how to connect authentically.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/icon/Frame-78-d923b371-4bcd-4900-94f9-679f880b5e7f.png)HypebotReverbNation Blog![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/thumbnail/photo-1541532713592-79a0317b6b77-554c803e-5948-47e7-a710-96822890f0d7.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/5-ways-to-grow-your-music-industry-network/) ### **Marketing in Music** [How to Use Bandsintown Boost to Market Live ShowsPlus: "The Jay Electronica Playbook" is a case study on how an artist can use digital visibility and analytics to sell tickets in multiple live markets.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/icon/Frame-78-31d91c98-d1f1-4fcf-b223-a2bf2d0a22d3.png)HypebotBandsintown![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/thumbnail/V1_Hero-Image_Web_1440x716-copy-3c5c9d7b-d644-4b98-94e7-424a0b8dfebc.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/how-to-use-bandsintown-boost-to-market-live-shows/) [A Solo Tour Doesn’t Have to Be a “Solo Era”Wednesday’s Karly Hartzman is venturing out solo to do some shows. She's not making a big thing of it, and that's sort of the thing…![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/icon/Frame-78-570b4e15-a9d5-4e08-bd30-85f268a84312.png)HypebotJeremy Young![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/thumbnail/Karly-hartzmann-wednesday-pittsburgh2024-885b64d9-e5bf-411c-92dd-b451abb5141e.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/a-solo-tour-doesnt-have-to-be-a-solo-era/) [Every Label Builds Its Creator Lists the Same Way. Our Data Says That Way Is Wrong.Influur’s data says music marketers should prioritize recent campaign performance and musical fit over follower count, and shift budgets accordingly.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/icon/Frame-78-1224ec14-067a-4f9b-a256-91aeeb6eb838.png)HypebotGuest Author![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/thumbnail/Thumbanil-blog-alexa-f12f4c9f-15d9-4281-b0fb-d940de8bd773.png)](https://www.hypebot.com/every-label-builds-its-creator-lists-the-same-way-our-data-says-that-way-is-wrong/) [Be Memorable: Picking the Right Horse to Run Your Grammy CampaignBe Memorable is a monthly column about how artists can use the power of branding and promotion to break through the noise and be memorable.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/icon/Frame-78-8d6e3eea-54e1-416d-8b83-76049e6d85d8.png)HypebotYaya Diamond![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/thumbnail/10-15-yaya-column-1-d78e9499-34fb-4b95-a762-87b43b38549a.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/be-memorable-picking-the-right-horse-to-run-your-grammy-campaign/) ### **Streaming & AI** [AFM launches 'Human Made, Human Paid' AI Music CampaignMusicians union AFM launches Human Made, Human Paid ahead of major label talks demanding consent, credit, fair pay if sound recordings train AI.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/icon/Frame-78-cecdb330-9a26-48d8-8998-e33ca295a374.png)HypebotBruce Houghton![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/thumbnail/AFM-0cd85d38-1002-4e04-8b66-24a3d0d58fea.png)](https://www.hypebot.com/afm-launches-human-made-human-paid-ai-music-campaign/) [Spotify Excludes 50M AI Slop Tracks from RecommendationsSpotify has now pulled 50 million AI slop from recommendations and labeled AI artists in addition to deleting 75 million tracks earlier this year.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/icon/Frame-78-16b69d1d-01de-4fa8-b740-561e83ee3f61.png)HypebotBruce Houghton![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/thumbnail/Header-6c365714-f297-4d1b-9628-2dae4cfe9069.png)](https://www.hypebot.com/spotify-excludes-50m-ai-slop-tracks-from-recommendations/) [UMG, Sony Sue DistroKid To Reveal Scale Of Suno, AI MusicUniversal and Sony file a new court motion forcing DistroKid to reveal the true scale of AI songs flooding DSPs and fueling their Suno lawsuit.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/icon/Frame-78-dc29659f-006f-4381-b1b2-df85b3204ca9.png)HypebotBruce Houghton![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/thumbnail/DistroKid-Legal-c12ccfd1-207c-47ca-9869-fc1c5b138842.png)](https://www.hypebot.com/umg-sony-sue-distrokid-to-reveal-scale-of-suno-and-ai-music/) [Spotify Q3 2026: 788M Users and 306M SubscribersSpotify stock jumped after a Q3 2026 report showed strong growth with 788M monthly users and 306M premium subscribers alongside record margins.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/icon/Frame-78-4d2cad9b-76f8-433f-af6a-e0f1034d277d.png)HypebotBruce Houghton![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/thumbnail/2026Q3-Earnings_FTRHeader-1920x733-46902ce9-020f-413f-95d3-caba1b7d89a3.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/spotify-q3-2026-788m-users-and-306m-subscribers/) ### **Live Focus** [“In The Dark” Takes a Pitch-Black Live Music Experience to UK CathedralsThe centuries-old listening format of acousmatic concert music has found a new commercial, touring production home in UK cathedrals this year.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/icon/Frame-78-7fc5d83f-a1e2-4ddd-8a78-ab9be7f52b4e.png)HypebotHypebot Editorial Desk![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/thumbnail/10-22-in-the-dark-4bea6836-43be-4874-9b09-ba24663777f8.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/in-the-dark-takes-a-pitch-black-live-music-experience-to-uk-cathedrals/) [Raise the Bar Campaign Targets Venue Merch Cuts, Pay-to-PlayMusicians union UMAW is reving up its Raise the Bar campaign calling on venues to increase transparency as well as end merch fees and pay-to-play.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/icon/Frame-78-65dbc6c6-16b4-4d2e-b884-c2c0ac5c16b6.png)HypebotBruce Houghton![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/thumbnail/10-19-umaw-e3c5865a-10c6-42ac-b95b-5b1bd2a8af29.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/raise-the-bar-campaign-targets-venue-merch-cuts-pay-to-play/) [Raleigh's “Temporary” Venue Lasted 16 Years — It's Now Becoming Permanent.Raleigh's Red Hat Amphitheater offers a useful lesson for live music development: let a venue establish its audience before committing to its permanent home.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/icon/Frame-78-c994e923-f07b-4732-8001-ca2224935425.png)HypebotHypebot Editorial Desk![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/thumbnail/Red_Hat3_f9f4df91-435a-4a23-ae28-2a7c990d0a19-2735e99b-a2d5-44d5-b838-519f76c32603.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/raleighs-temporary-venue-lasted-16-years-its-now-becoming-permanent/) [“The Greatest Show on Earth:” A Brief History of U2’s Biggest Live GamblesFrom Live Aid to Zoo TV to Sphere, U2’s biggest live stunts reveal a band constantly rethinking how to make massive concerts feel personal.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/icon/Frame-78-871eb4c3-d300-440d-a9c2-83e627f03857.png)HypebotJeremy Young![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/thumbnail/U2_performing_on_Experience_and_Innocence_Tour_in_London_10-24-18_-3--a9dd5064-d9cc-47b6-83de-3eaab277a136.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/the-greatest-show-on-earth-a-brief-history-of-u2s-biggest-live-gambles/) ### **News** [Music Industry News From Across The Web ♫The latest music industry and live music news under the INDUSTRY NEWS tab at the top of every page. We search the web so you don't have to.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/icon/Frame-78-7f5a158e-7547-42d4-807d-c8f846519fcd.png)HypebotBruce Houghton![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/thumbnail/photo-1578402027070-0f5ebd84ec9b-76f41281-a5be-44ae-acfa-43eb7d8038c6.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/music-industry-news-from-across-the-web-2/) [Goldman Sachs 2026 Music Report: The Monetization EraGoldman Sachs 2026 'Music In The Air' report upgrades industry growth with streaming price hikes, superfans and live music driving revenue growth.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/icon/Frame-78-6f1a0c55-8c28-47fa-a6be-767447873a79.png)HypebotBruce Houghton![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/thumbnail/photo-1563013544-824ae1b704d3-d5b19445-b963-40ea-8e7b-9a439a195c8c.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/goldman-sachs-2026-music-report-the-monetization-era/) [Everywhere At Once Gives £100K To Youth & Music Charities2,000 artists played MVT's Everywhere At Once festival raising £100,000 for War Child, Help Musicians, Teenage Cancer Trust & Nordoff and Robbins.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/icon/Frame-78-c8fa2803-bbaa-4bd6-969e-48b7de516094.png)HypebotBruce Houghton![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/thumbnail/Check-bad7a49c-3e8b-4518-9478-e514665018fc.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/everywhere-at-once-fest-gives-100k-to-youth-music-charities/) [Live Nation filing calls FTC suit "perversion" of Bots ActIn a fiery federal court filing, Live Nation asserts the FTC is distorting anti-bot laws and punishing Ticketmaster for third-party scalper abuse.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/icon/Frame-78-5095dd5a-4c9a-46c0-bc4d-7c456bb11f0c.png)HypebotBruce Houghton![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/thumbnail/Live-Nation-LEGAL-BATTLE-1448af39-68ad-4830-9c70-6c316582219f.png)](https://www.hypebot.com/live-nation-filing-calls-ftc-suit-perversion-of-bots-act/) ### ***\*This Week's Wild Card*** [Touring Radar: 5 Tours We’re Watching This WeekTouring Radar tracks newly announced dates that say something bigger about the business of live music. Here's what's catching our eye.![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/icon/Frame-78-bc5973ec-276b-43cd-9778-01c4323ac561.png)HypebotHypebot Editorial Desk![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/3a/95/3a957c06-c825-4057-9939-0a274cc16d23/content/images/thumbnail/10-19-touring-radar-043dd6ac-e7d3-476c-82c2-a15d3222e64a.jpg)](https://www.hypebot.com/touring-radar-5-tours-were-watching-this-week/)