From YouTube’s surprising podcast domination to The Judds’ final tour, we’re bringing you all the music news you need to know as we head into the weekend.
Three weeks into May, and life has yet to disappoint. As the temperatures continue to rise and more artists hit the road with summer sunsets on their minds, something about the season feels shockingly normal. As long as you don’t look at the news or spend too much time on social media, there is plenty to love about life at the moment. We have great music, new opportunities, and another day to chase our dreams. What more could you want?
We cannot ease your workload or give you more hours in the day, but we can help you stay informed. Below you’ll find the biggest stories of the week, all covered by the best outlets in tech and entertainment. Click around, learn what’s happening, and use the weekend to prepare for the end of the month.
But let’s be honest. There is no way we can hope to cover everything that happens. If you see a headline we missed that people need to know, please do not hesitate to send james@haulix.com an email. We’ll include your links in the next update.
THE NEED TO KNOW MUSIC NEWS OF THE WEEK
Report Finds YouTube Is More Popular For Podcasts Than Spotify
US radio group Cumulus Media and research firm Signal Hill Insights have published a report suggesting that Google’s video service is the most popular podcasting platform in the US now.
That’s based on a survey of listeners, with 24.2% saying YouTube is the platform they use the most for podcasts, ahead of Spotify (23.8%) and Apple Podcasts (16%).
Meanwhile, the report claims that these three platforms now account for 64% of podcast listening in the US, up from 55% in 2019. The suggestion is that video podcasts are a big part of YouTube’s rise, with six in ten weekly podcast listeners claiming to prefer podcasts with video. You can download the full report here.
Spotify Partnering With Employees To Offer Free Premium
Businesses don’t just rely on health insurance to lure potential workers into their fold. Gym memberships, free snacks or meals, even free fitness trackers — there’s no shortage of perks that modern companies can use to win over future employees. Spotify is sick of being on the outside of those benefits, so it’s introducing a new program to help businesses entice workers through the promise of free jam sessions.
Spotify for Work is the company’s new perk for employers, and it’s kicking off with Accenture, a “global professional services firm.” Members in Sweden, Latvia, and Lithuania are getting a free Spotify Premium account meant to be used both during and outside of work hours. For now, this program is just a partnership with Accenture, though the streamer is teasing potential collaborations with other companies down the road with today’s announcement.
The Judds Final Tour Will Carry On With All-Star Female Guests
As Wynonna Judd has promised, the show will go on for the Judds’ previously announced Final Tour after the death of her mother and duo partner, Naomi Judd. A press release Thursday morning (May 19) reveals that a slate of all-star female guests will join Wynonna Judd to complete the tour in tribute to the Judds’ enduring legacy, calling it the “ultimate girls night out.”
Brandi Carlile, Faith Hill, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Ashley McBryde and Trisha Yearwood are set to join Judd for the tour, with more guests to be announced.
“I am humbled, once again, by the loyalty of the fans who have been with us for 38-plus years, who continue to show up for me when I need them the most,” Wynonna Judd states. “I am grateful that we will continue to honor the Judds legacy, together.”
MENA is the “Fastest Growing Music Region In The World” According to the IFPI
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) is now the “fastest growing music region in the world,” according to the IFPI, which is preparing to roll out its “first ever regional chart” for the nations at hand and their approximately 400 million residents.
The International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) today detailed its view of MENA’s growth (as well as its plans for the aforementioned regional chart) via a formal release that was emailed to DMN. Back in March, the organization reported that the Middle East and North Africa had achieved 35 percent music-industry growth in 2021, against 31.2 percent for Latin America and 18.5 percent globally.
Building upon these findings, the IFPI last month commissioned a survey of 1,560 United Arab Emirates residents between the ages of 16 and 44. This study found that the country’s roughly 10 million citizens enjoy an average of 22.5 hours’ worth of music per week (22 percent above the international average), with 54 percent of individuals having stated that they “typically listen to at least one Middle Eastern genre.”
NFT Marketplace Serenade Raises $4.2M, Plans US Expansion
Serenade, a music NFT marketplace launched in 2021, has raised AUD $6 million (approx USD $4.2m).
The company, founded by Australian tech entrepreneur Max Shand, says the funds will be used to “help grow its artist and partner roster” across the UK and Australia, as well as in the US, where the company plans to enter the market and open a dedicated office.
Today’s (May 18) news follows the announcement in March, that Iain Watt, the former Managing Director of YMU Music in the UK, joined the platform’s Advisory Board as Chairman.
According to a media statement, Serenade has been supported by several high-profile music industry investors, including senior management figures from Atlantic Records UK, Secret Sounds, Future Classic, UNIFIED Music Group and Warner Music Group, as well as Hollywood actor Hugh Jackman.
The statement adds that “the group has also been joined by Matt Gudinski and Johann Poniah of Mushroom Group and former Powderfinger frontman Bernard Fanning.”
