Here's a rundown of some of our favorite stories from this week on Hypebot. As always, thanks for reading and being part of our growing community of artists, managers, and industry pros.
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Top Stories
A Brief History of The Flaming Lips’ Wildest Live Shows
From parking-lot orchestras and space bubbles to double-header concerts in 2027, The Flaming Lips have been reinventing the live spectacle for four decades.
Jeremy Young
Where Underground Hip-Hop Is Finding Its Audience Beyond FM Radio
Internet radio is giving indie hip-hop artists a globally accessible alternative to traditional FM, offering audiences, exposure, and opportunity.
Guest Author
Noah Kahan Has Cracked the Code of Making Football Stadiums Feel Intimate
From small-town anxieties to big stage bliss, Noah Kahan's latest tour reveals just how vast the audience for deeply personal folk-pop has become.
Jeremy Young
The Cinematic Orchestra Makes Music That Refuses to Stay on the Record
Ahead of their 2027 tour, the evolving live group's singular blend of jazz, electronics, and pop-orchestral music shows why their concerts are so special.
Jeremy Young
Advice & Tips
Your Music Is Earning Money. But Can You Account for It?
Your distributor, your bank, and the IRS each have a number. Here's how to make them agree on what you're owed.
Guest Author
Great Co-Write. Now Save the Song.
Here are 5 essential steps for organizing co-written songs so collaborations can stay organized and ready for what comes next.
Guest Author
To Boost Engagement Up To 70% Change Topics, Not Voice
Want 70% more engagement? A new study study shows that varying topics while keeping a consistent voice is the ultimate social media hack.
Bruce Houghton
Your Catalog Needs an API
The music industry’s next big breakthrough will be making licensing as seamless as streaming, using API-powered infrastructure to unlock new revenue.
Guest Author
Marketing in Music
Pennies Earned: The Midwest Princess and the Shadow of Influence
Pennies Earned is a monthly column deconstructing music PR case studies that maximize positioning, partnerships, and strategy, in actionable ways.
Arielle Aslanyan
What Is a Superfan? How Musicians Build a Devoted Fanbase
Your loyal community of fans — built via authentic storytelling, direct engagement, and meaningful connections — is more than social media success.
Venture Music
Goldman Says Superfans Are the Next Frontier. Here’s What Keeps Them Paying.
Here are 3 actionable ways independent artists can turn one-time superfan purchases into lasting revenue and loyalty.
Guest Author
How to build a lasting Fanbase in 2026: Listeners vs. Fans
Post Malone and Olivia Rodrigo have similar streaming stats, but very different tours. The gap is about building a lasting fanbase. Learn how.
Chartmetric
Streaming & AI
Cover Songs 101: How to Release a Cover Song With CD Baby
It's never been easier to secure the appropriate license, credit the original songwriter, and distribute your cover. Here's how.
DIY Musician Blog
Spotify Wrapped 2026 Artist Deadline: One Day Left!
Tomorrow is the Nov 6 deadline for Spotify Wrapped 2026! Artists. Don't miss out. Upload your thank-you videos, live clips, and tour dates today!
Bruce Houghton
Fans Love the Music — What They're Chasing Is the Person Behind It.
In an industry scrambling to address an existential threat, the bond between a fan and an artist remains the one thing no computer can manufacture.
Guest Author
Holiday Music Distribution Deadlines for 2026
Planning a holiday music release in late 2026? Submit your tracks at least 6 weeks in advance to avoid delays during the busiest season of the year.
DIY Musician Blog
Live Focus
Backstage Pass: We Need to Talk About Concert Venue Bathrooms.
We asked Excel Dryer COO Bill Gagnon (we actually did) how restroom design effects the concert experience, and the one bathroom he'll never forget.
Jeremy Young
A Ticket Resale Marketplace Just Wrote Its Own Rulebook — and Dared the Industry to Sign It
Changed Plans just published a US "code of practice" for fan-to-fan ticket resale — modeled on the UK’s STAR standard and open for industry players to sign.
Hypebot Editorial Desk
How Does an Injury Law Firm Take on Local Venue Sustainability?
We chat with injury lawyer Joe Morrison and curator Corey Pond on the Dallas-area music festival they run each year, and the law firm that pays for it.
Jeremy Young
The Bots Are Winning. Now Concerts Are Getting Canceled.
Ticket bots aren't just making concerts harder to attend. They're disrupting ticket sales, delaying presales and now contributing to cancellations.
Hypebot Editorial Desk
News
We (Finally) Started an Instagram Account
Follow Hypebot on Instagram and we'll see you in the feed!
Hypebot Editorial Desk
ARTISTS: MLC To Distribute $424M, Don't Miss Your Share
MLC will distribute $424M in unclaimed black box streaming royalties in April. Register now or your money goes to major publishers and artists.
Bruce Houghton
ASCAP Expands Mental Health Support for Songwriters
ASCAP has partnered with Project Healthy Minds to give members easier access to mental health services, therapy, and wellness resources.
News
Hypebot Bottom Line: Music Industry Updates For Musicians
Winning marketing strategies, John Legend's masterclass, Spotify's AI battle and use growth, Music Tectonics startup winners, Pinterest and more.
Bruce Houghton
*This Week's Wild Card
Touring Radar: 5 Tours We’re Watching This Week
Touring Radar tracks newly announced dates that say something bigger about the business of live music. Here's what's catching our eye.
Hypebot Editorial Desk
