Business
Page: 7
Sony Music reported record high operating profit and a 14% jump in revenue for its fiscal year, as revenue from subscription streaming and its live, merchandise and sync business bolstered earnings, parent company Sony Group Corp. reported Wednesday (May. 14). Sony’s music segment, which includes Sony Music Entertainment, Sony Music Entertainment Japan and Sony Music Publishing, […]
Mexican music powerhouse Fonovisa-Disa is rebranding as Fono, it was announced on Wednesday (May 14).
The new name for the regional Mexican label, which is part of Universal Music Group, comes more than 40 years after its launch. It went on to become a pioneering company at a time when música mexicana didn’t have the global spotlight it has today.
“This isn’t the end of an era, at least we don’t feel like it is,” Antonio Silva, Fono’s U.S.-Mexico MD and a towering figure at the company, tells Billboard. “This is an evolution of Fonovisa, of our team, our artists, and it is an evolution designed to expand our genre and culture. This rebranding does not make Fonovisa’s legacy disappear, we intend to make [the genre] more relevant and take it beyond where our artists have already taken it.”
Fono is home to genre giants Alejandro Fernández, Los Tigres del Norte and Banda El Recodo, to name a few of the veterans on its roster, as well as emerging acts such as Camila Fernández, Danny Felix and Majo Aguilar — a reflection of the genre’s multigenerational audience. The label’s rebranding comes at a time when regional Mexican music has grown significantly in popularity and exposure over the past few years. Still, there’s much more opportunity for growth, says Alfredo Delgadillo, president/CEO of Universal Music México.
“Mexican music is in a good place right now, but we want to see it go further,” says Delgadillo, who notes the rebranding has been in the works for over a year. “It’s important to note that while corridos are getting all the attention at this moment, the rest of the subgenres like banda, norteño, mariachi, cumbia, continue to have enormous relevance, and we don’t want that to get lost. We see a very strong opportunity. The focus on the corrido, which is very important and, coming from what Fonovisa is and what it has built, we don’t want it to end or stay there. For us, the cultural richness of the entire genre goes beyond a special moment for just one of the subgenres.”
Trending on Billboard
Fono will continue building on the legacy that Fonovisa-Disa built. Previously an indie label, Fonovisa was acquired by Universal in 2008 and became an institution in the regional Mexican music space. “We saw this as [an opportunity] to grow, to take Mexican music and all its genres to other regions and territories,” says Ana Martínez, who was appointed Fono’s U.S. GM last year. “Our vision is focused on the opportunity to take our culture to other audiences, above all in a sustainable way, helping develop something that lasts more than the isolated impact that sometimes happens.”
Adds Silva, “After so many years of working in the music industry and practically all dedicated to regional Mexican, I’ve experienced the phenomenon of Bronco, Rigo Tovar and so many more that have been a part of our history. Now, to reach this moment where the company has this vision of expanding our culture and all that we are, I’m thankful to Fono and Universal for giving us a new road to navigate the world.”
Industry executives Daniel Oakley, Darren Potuck and Cage the Elephant co-founder/guitarist Brad Shultz have partnered to form the new label Parallel Vision, it was revealed to Billboard on Wednesday (May 14). Additionally, the Nashville and Los Angeles-based label announced it has formed a joint venture with Big Loud Rock (the alternative/rock imprint of Big Loud Records) to sign its flagship artist, rock duo Girl Tones.
Composed of sisters Kenzie and Laila, Girl Tones has opened shows for Cage the Elephant in Europe and later joined The Velveteers and hey, nothing on those acts’ stateside shows. In July, the duo will join Silversun Pickups on a run of North American shows and is also slated to play festivals including Lollapalooza, Shaky Knees and Austin City Limits.
Trending on Billboard
To mark the signing, Girl Tones released its new single and video, “Blame,” on Wednesday. Described as “vintage-tinged,” the Casey Pierce-directed video was filmed at Nashville’s Dive Motel and plays up the trope of sibling rivalry.
“We’ve been friends for nearly two decades, each carving out different corners of the industry — artist, executive, creative, while also working and creating together throughout those years,” said Oakley in a statement. “Brad had spent the last several years developing and producing artists while Darren and I worked with major music and entertainment companies.”
Added Shlutz, “We were presented with a chance to have our own outlet to further develop and release the music. Parallel Vision is that avenue. It’s honestly a blessing the way it all came together. Girl Tones is the perfect first chapter. They’ve gone from local stages to global releases and touring internationally in under a year — and we’re just getting started.”
On the label’s partnership with Big Loud Rock, Potuck added, “At Parallel Vision, we’re driven by a desire to support artists who push boundaries. Partnering with Big Loud Rock gives us the infrastructure and momentum to take that vision to a much bigger audience — without compromising the art. We’re excited to build something that respects creativity while delivering at the highest level.”
Joey Moi, a Big Loud partner and president at Big Loud Rock, added, “Big Loud Rock is honored to be in partnership with the renowned team at Parallel Vision and their first signing Girl Tones. As part of our label’s mission to develop the next generation of alternative-rock artists, these strategic partnerships will be part of our core mission as we continue to build and take this company to new heights.”
Big Loud Rock is also home to artists including Blame My Youth, Bizzy and Sikarus.
LONDON — Manchester’s Co-op Live Arena has teamed up with Adidas and Abbey Road Studios for the launch of a new recording studio inside its premises.
The Adidas Originals Recording Studio is situated inside the U.K.’s largest music arena and has been designed as “a vibrant hub for emerging musical talent and young creative communities.” The studio has been engineered by Abbey Road’s technicians and sound engineers.
The studio in Manchester, England will be available to local musicians from August onwards. The initiative is launched in conjunction with a number of existing schemes, including Abbey Road’s Amplify and Equalise programmes, which hosts a number of panels, workshops and recording opportunities at the iconic London studios each year.
Trending on Billboard
Factory’s International’s Factory Sounds initiative, which provides financial support and mentorship to underrepresented groups in the Greater Manchester area, is also involved with the project. Courteeners frontman Liam Fray, who was born and raised in Middleton, Manchester, opened the studio with an acoustic live performance and praised the space and the opportunities it may provide: “To have something of this level up here that is a focal point in Manchester opens up the industry and takes it to a wider audience.”
Despite a rocky, delayed opening, the Co-op Live Arena has become a key venue on the U.K.’s touring circuit, with a number of huge acts set to perform there this summer, including Bruce Springsteen, Olivia Rodrigo, Tyler, the Creator, Massive Attack and more.
Sally Davies, managing director of Abbey Road Studios, said in a statement: “The launch of the adidas Originals Recording Studio is a world-first collaboration creating a new, Abbey Road-engineered recording space beyond the walls of our home in London.”
“We are enormously proud to partner with Adidas, Co-op Live and Factory International to create a new platform for talent in Manchester and the North-West, expanding our mission to enable and empower the global community of music makers and creators, and shape the future of music making.”
LONDON — A new Tube map showcasing the breadth of London’s artists and music venues has been published as part of a campaign championing the capital’s grassroots scene.
The map highlights record shops, nightclubs and historic locations across the city, as well as venues such as XOYO and Electrowerkz to institutions such as the Barbican. London-raised artists including Dua Lipa, Dave and recent Billboard U.K. cover star Loyle Carner also feature.
Each Underground line has been reimagined as a different aspect of the city’s music scene, with the Jubilee line displaying London-made albums, the Metropolitan line showing independent record labels, and the District line listing “25 artists to see in 2025.” The iconic map was designed by Harry Beck and first came into use in 1933.
Trending on Billboard
London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan and Transport for London (TfL) joined forces with media leaders to devise the map as part of the London Creates campaign. Over the next month, it will be displayed at digital exhibition space Outernet London in Tottenham Court Road.
In a statement, Khan said: “London’s grassroots music scene is renowned around the world. From providing opportunities for talented aspiring artists to develop their trade, to giving Londoners a great night out, our venues are an essential part of our life at night and provide a huge boost to our economy.
“However, they have faced huge challenges in recent years, which is why we’re joining with partners across the capital to champion all parts of London’s grassroots music scene. This special edition Tube map is a great way to highlight what a huge impact the scene has on our capital, as we continue to do all we can to support venues and build a more prosperous London for everyone.”
Mark Davyd, founder and CEO of Music Venue Trust, added: “London is one of the world’s great music cities, constantly reinventing itself with new sounds, new genres, and incredible new artists. The network of grassroots music venues in London are an essential part of what makes the capital’s music thrive, delivering an extraordinary range of music, community and life changing experiences at affordable prices.”
According to City Hall, London is home to 179 grassroots music venues, which in the last year have welcomed more than 4.2m audience members, hosted performances by more than 328,000 artists, employed nearly 7,000 people and contributed £313m ($417m) to the economy.
The map was formally published in the Metro newspaper yesterday (May 13). Further information about the campaign can be found at the newspaper’s official website.
Live Nation has announced the launch of a $30 concert ticket initiative for summer 2025, through which fans will be able to access more than 1,000 shows at select amphitheaters across the U.S. and Canada throughout the season.
Live music fans can catch concerts from The Offspring, Halsey, Nelly, Pierce the Veil, Avril Lavigne, Kesha, HARDY, Dierks Bentley, Cyndi Lauper, Kidz Bop Kids, Rod Stewart and many more for just $30 — an all-inclusive price with no additional fees outside of local taxes.
Additional artists under the $30 ticket options include Willie Nelson, Simple Plan, The Black Keys, Weird Al Yankovic, Little Big Town, James Taylor, Leon Bridges, Goo Goo Dolls, Luke Bryan, Barenaked Ladies, Billy Idol, Cody Jinks, Keith Urban, Big Time Rush, Volbeat, Slightly Stoopid and more.
Trending on Billboard
More shows will be added throughout the summer, giving fans multiple chances to score $30 tickets all season long.
Starting May 21 in the U.S. and Canada, fans can go to Live Nation’s Ticket to Summer site to see the full list of participating events and add the ticket type “$30 Ticket to Summer” to their cart for the deal. T-Mobile and Rakuten members will get early access on May 20. All ticket sales will begin at 10 a.m. ET on the given day.
The $30 Tickets to Summer initiative follows Live Nation’s similar summer offering, Live Nation Concert Week. Live Nation Concert Week, which hit its 10-year anniversary last year, only lasted seven days. Notably, the promoter recently discontinued its popular Lawn Pass program, through which music fans paid a flat fee for a lawn ticket to every summer concert at participating amphitheaters. At the time of that announcement, the company said it would replace the six-year-old program with something different. The $30 Ticket to Summer will be the promotion giant’s only summer offering for the 2025 season.
Tickets for this year’s $30 Tickets to Summer are available for select Live Nation shows while inventory lasts.
Bill Ackman, whose hedge fund Pershing Square Capital has been among Universal Music Group’s largest investors, said he will resign from his seat on UMG’s board of directors effective Wednesday “due to new executive and board obligations arising from his recent investments,” according to a company statement. In a brief announcement posted Wednesday hours ahead […]
Halle Bailey has been granted a restraining order against DDG, her ex-boyfriend and the father of her 1-year-old son, Billboard can confirm.
TMZ was first to report Tuesday (May 13) that the 25-year-old singer/actress had filed a police report against the 27-year-old streamer and rapper and requested court-ordered protection, claiming he had attacked her multiple times.
In court documents obtained by Billboard, Bailey alleged “things got physical” starting in January, when DDG (real name Darryl Dwayne Granberry Jr.) came over to pick up their then-13-month-old son Halo and she initiated a conversation about scheduling his visits.
Bailey claims that as she was buckling Halo into his car seat in the back of Granberry’s car, he yelled, “Get out of my car, bi—.” At that point, she alleges, Halo started crying, making her nervous to leave the baby with him in his agitated state. When she stayed in the car, she alleges that Granberry pulled her hair, slammed her face on the steering wheel and chipped her tooth. After they arrived at Granberry’s family’s house, Bailey says she told his family what happened and left the baby with them.
Trending on Billboard
Bailey attached photos of her alleged injuries, including her chipped tooth, to the restraining order request.
In the docs, Bailey went on to detail two more alleged incidents of abuse: one in March, which she says she filed a police report over, and one this past weekend, when she says Granberry accused her of vacationing with Brent Faiyaz in a series of texts while she was on a Mother’s Day trip with their son and her mother.
Granberry announced the couple had split in October 2024, ending their two-year relationship.
“This decision was not easy, but we believe it’s the best path forward for both of us. I cherish the time we’ve spent together and the love we’ve shared,” he wrote on his Instagram Story at the time. The following month, Bailey shared in a since-deleted X post that she felt “extremely upset” when Granberry brought Halo with him during an “unapproved” appearance on Kai Cenat’s live stream. She later backpedaled, writing, “maybe i did overreact…. i know that halo is always safe with his dad. i just don’t like finding out with the rest of the world what my baby is doing.”
Shortly after those tweets, Granberry came to Bailey’s defense in a YouTube video in which he implored negative commenters to leave her alone, citing her transparency over her struggles with postpartum depression. “When situations like this happen, I try to handle it with as much grace as possible because Halo needs her. I need her,” he said at the time. “We need each other to try to create a childhood that’s safe, fun and memorable for him.” But in March, Granberry aired his grievances over their custody issues in a song titled “Don’t Take My Son.”
In the restraining order request, Bailey also requested permission to take Halo with her while she travels to Italy to film a movie, where she will have family and a traveling nanny to help care for him. She also asked the judge for a cease-and-desist order to prevent Granberry from “posting and/or streaming on any and all platforms about Halo and/or me. He is a YouTube and Twitch Blogger and creates a fan frenzy by making false claims about me. This has caused me to feel afraid and victimized. His fans then threaten me. I am often scared for my life and Halo’s safety.”
A hearing has been set for June 4 over whether a more permanent restraining order should be put in place.
Representatives for Bailey and Granberry did not immediately respond to Billboard‘s requests for comment.
Author Jillian Lauren, the wife of Weezer bassist Scott Shriner, has been officially charged with two felony counts following a bizarre shootout with police at her Los Angeles home in April. Lauren, whose full name is Jillian Lauren Shriner, pled not guilty during a Tuesday (May 13) court hearing to the charges: discharge of a […]
Live Nation has agreed to a long-term lease for a 5,000-seat venue in downtown Atlanta that will be part of a development around the Mercedes-Benz Stadium and State Farm Arena.
Centennial Yards is described by CIM, the developer that has partnered with the City of Atlanta, as a “mixed-used community featuring residential units, retail and entertainment establishments, community gathering spaces and more.” The 50-acre site is expected to have a $5 billion price tag. In addition to the music venue, it will include a 14-story hotel, a two-story food and beverage hall and a Cosm entertainment venue. The development already includes a brewery, loft residences and a 500-foot pedestrian bridge.
Live Nation’s involvement with the development was first reported by The Wall Street Journal.
Trending on Billboard
Concert venues are increasingly popular properties in urban developments centered around the venues of professional sports teams. Mercedes-Benz Stadium has been the home of the Atlanta Falcons since 2017. The Atlanta Hawks basketball team plays at State Farm Arena.
“Every owner of a major sports team that wants to have their new building is not just building a building anymore,” Live Nation president/CFO Joe Berchtold said at the J.P. Morgan Global Technology, Media and Communications Conference on Tuesday (May 13). “They’re building an entertainment district around it.”
Centennial Yards is the latest example of concert promoters taking part in developments that aim to revitalize urban areas. Downtown Nashville’s The Pinnacle, a 4,500-capacity music venue operated by AEG Presents, is part of Nashville Yards, owned by real estate developer Southwest Value Partners. Nashville Yards also houses AEG Presents’ regional offices, CAA and, starting in July, Messina Touring Group.
Another massive multi-purpose project getting underway is RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. The development currently includes a food hall, a skate park and festival grounds that hosts music festivals and other large gatherings. Berchtold said at the conference that he was in D.C. last week but didn’t mention the RFK project.
Leasing a mid-sized venue in Atlanta will add to Live Nation’s portfolio of venues under its Venue Nation business segment. Venue Nation plans to open 20 additional venues globally in 2025, which it believes will add 7 million incremental fans annually. As of the end of 2024, Live Nation leased 222 venues, owned 32 and operated 67. It has the exclusive booking rights to another 69 venues and owns an equity stake in 4.