Association News
Below, you’ll find the latest Association press releases, updates on our upcoming events, introductions to our newest member companies, links to the latest content from Music Biz and our partners, and more.
Sign up for our weekly email feed to have this news delivered directly to your inbox on Fridays.
October 6, 2026 – SAN DIEGO, HERE WE COME: Music Biz 2027 Launches Today!
2027 is set to be another transformational year for the global music business, as we reckon with seismic shifts in everything from the rapid adoption of new AI tech tools to finding new solutions to combat music fraud. We can’t wait to welcome you, along with 2,000 of your global music industry peers, to the Hilton Bayfront San Diego for Music Biz 2027! Click the thumbnail below for a video walkthrough of the updates to our Conference in 2027!... Click Here To Read
October 6, 2026 – The Future of What Episode #305 — How Tap Technology is Expanding the Fan Experience: Hear from ZATAP’s David Geisser!
Creativity is what drives our industry forward, both in musical works and innovative industry products. ZATAP combines these ideas with their NFC and QR code-powered tech that allows exclusive artist content to be accessed with a single tap to nearly any item you can think of, including CDs, posters, and even t-shirts. In this interview, ZATAP CEO David Geisser discusses versatile uses for QR codes & NFC tags – both for on-site activations and for merch where the content accessed is ever-changing – examples of how this technology benefits the artist and expands the fan experience,... Click Here To Listen
September 29, 2026 – The Future of What Episode #304 — Who Owns Your Identity? A Discussion on AI & The NO FAKES Act with Caldecott Music Group’s Dani Deahl
Only half of the states in the U.S have a codified right of publicity, creating a conundrum that not only raises concern for impersonation in the era of AI, but also complicates what action can be taken when content mimicking one’s likeness crosses state borders. To discuss these complexities and how the NO FAKES Act looks to unite us on the federal level, we spoke with Dani Deahl, VP of Creator Policy & Corporate Affairs at Caldecott Music Group and Head of Communications &... Click Here To Listen
September 23, 2026 – [Keeping Tempo With Music Biz] — The Invisible Infrastructure AI Music Will Need: Op-Ed from Neutune
For the past few years, most conversations about AI music have focused on the models and what they can create. Then came the copyright lawsuits, questions about training data and, increasingly, licensing deals between technology companies and rightsholders. There is another conversation sitting underneath all of this that we haven’t really started yet: if AI music becomes a significant part of the music economy, what infrastructure will actually make it work? Music already relies on an enormous amount of infrastructure that listeners never see.... Click Here To Read
September 22, 2026 – The Future of What Episode #303 — How Vollou’s Setlist Reporting Solution Is Shrinking the Black Box
Setlist submission is not often top of mind for artists and DJs when they perform. Whether it’s due to a lack of awareness or not having the time or resources during busy performance cycles, failing to report setlists leaves valuable live royalties on the table. To keep these artist earnings from entering the black box, Vollou automates setlist reporting using music recognition technology, creating a process that simplifies submission for everyone who is required to do so – venues,... Click Here To Listen
September 15, 2026 – The Future of What Episode #302 — The Evolution of Metadata Management: Celebrating DDEX’s 20th Anniversary with Secretariat Mark Isherwood
The music industry is constantly evolving and integrating new technologies, bringing with them both opportunities and challenges. But when it comes to metadata management, DDEX has seen our industry greatly improve since its inception in 2006. In this episode, DDEX Secretariat Mark Isherwood shares his observations over the years as the organization 20th anniversary approaches, addressing current AI discussions and uses as they pertain to metadata, how fear around sharing data has diminished over the last 10 years,... Click Here To Listen
September 9, 2026 – [Keeping Tempo With Music Biz] — The Album Is No Longer a Finished Product: Op-Ed from ZATAP’s David Geisser
Why chart-eligible smart formats can turn physical music into a living fan relationship For years, the music industry treated physical and digital as opposing categories: physical was the object, collectible and emotionally resonant; digital was the experience, immediate and easy to update. That line is blurring. A new generation of smart music formats blends the permanence of a physical product with the flexibility of a digital platform. Fans can buy a mini cassette, mini CD, premium album package or another NFC-enabled collectible,... Click Here To Read
September 8, 2026 – The Future of What Episode #301 — 100 Years of the Jukebox and What Comes Next: A Conversation with AMI Entertainment’s Tommy Moreno
The jukebox has existed as a catalyst for communal music discovery for nearly a century, with the anniversary of AMI Entertainment’s production of the first coin-operated jukebox coming up in 2027. To celebrate, we spoke with AMI CEO Tommy Moreno about the company’s rich history & innovations, as well as the pros & cons of the jukebox’s evolution into a digital format. Tommy also spotlights how AMI is continuing to evolve & bolster the industry by delivering more royalties on a per-play basis compared to streaming platforms and transforming their app into a more gamified,... Click Here To Listen
August 31, 2026 – The Future of What Episode #300 — mtheory’s Cameo Carlson on the Chinese Reality Show That Launched Mickey Guyton Overseas
To be a successful artist management team means to be willing to think outside the box, which is just what mtheory CEO Cameo Carlson and team have done with artist Mickey Guyton, a Country singer who did not have traditional revenue lines in place like touring or radio. In this episode, Cameo recounts the story of how a C2C Festival appearance in London led to Mickey placing second on China’s The Singer, and the massive Chinese fanbase and tour that followed.... Click Here To Listen
August 26, 2026 – MUSIC BIZ IN MILAN: Music Tech Summit Returns to CES Unveiled Oct. 21st!
The Music Business Association is thrilled to reprise their collaboration with CES, the most powerful tech event in the world! Both organizations are headed to Milan for CES Unveiled Europe, bringing the intersection of music, technology, and innovation to the stage. Music Biz is proud to host two dynamic panels during its Music Tech Summit on Wednesday, October 21st — one spotlighting cutting-edge tech startups as they navigate and scale their go-to-market strategies across the U.S.... Click Here To Read
