We make running your music business easier! OpenPlay offers a range of great new features you may not have seen, and now they're offering the lowest rates of digital delivery to music services.

Find out more by visiting openplay.co.

Spotify raises its subscription prices in the US again

From July, the monthly cost of an individual ‘Premium’ subscription will rise from $10.99 to $11.99.

The company’s two-person ‘Duo’ subscription will cost $16.99 a month, while its ‘Family’ plan will cost $19.99. Meanwhile, Spotify’s ‘Student’ tier remains at $5.99.

Sony Music chief Rob Stringer calls for an end to free ad-funded streaming services

Speaking about the strategies for further growth, Stringer noted the success of the traditional labels alongside the growing artist & label services operations, including the acquisition of AWAL. That’s resulted in a 24% increase in new tracks released to DSPs since 2019.

Discussing global expansion via mergers & acquisitions, particularly in emerging markets, Stringer said: “We are undoubtedly the most aggressive major music group in M&A over the last three years.”

UK Music wants politicians to devise a national music strategy

The UK is holding a short-notice general election in July. UK Music has set out its policy hopes for the political parties.

Musi Won Over Millions. Is the Free Music Streaming App Too Good to Be True?

Musi’s free music streaming app is a hit with thrifty teens. The app claims to tap content on YouTube, but some in the music industry question the legitimacy of that model.

Casio Music UK and Nathan Aké Expand ‘Playing for Change’ Initiative to Bring Music Education to Disadvantaged Schools Nationwide

Following a successful pilot program in Manchester, Casio Music UK and Manchester City footballer and piano player Nathan Aké are officially launching ‘Playing for Change’ — a groundbreaking donation project aimed at improving music education provision in disadvantaged schools and colleges nationwide across the UK.

The pilot program, launched in February, saw the donation of ten Casio CDP-S110 pianos to six schools across Manchester, with Nathan personally delivering two of the instruments to East Manchester Academy, located in one of the city’s most deprived areas.

Spotify launches ‘Do You Speak Anitta?’ pop-up in São Paulo

Spotify loves a pop-up physical activation, and the latest focuses on one of Brazil’s biggest stars, Anitta.

Music tech entrepreneur Sharooz Raoofi is aiming to disrupt the music licensing space with his new Wavetick platform

'Music rights have been managed so archaically for years. If human creators are to flourish as licensors, we must modernise.'

In GenAI and Music, Will Nice Guys Finish Last?

Generative AI music company Suno has raised $125 million, one of the biggest music-tech funding rounds in history. Founders say they want to ring in “a future where anyone can make music”, but questions remain over whether Suno and its rival, Udio, have trained their models on copyrighted music without licensing deals.

Talk to anyone knowledgeable about music licensing and tech startups and the expression “ask for forgiveness, not permission” is almost certain to arise

So You Have a Sonic Strategy - Now What?

So your brand has just spent multiple months and budget to develop a music strategy and bespoke sonic identity that perfectly captures the personality of your brand. You’re eager to implement it across the entire brand ecosystem: TV ads, social media, events and more. But you are finding that incorporating it is not as easy as just dropping an audio file into a TikTok. 

Spotify shifts into reverse and starts offering refunds for Car Thing

The firm is now offering refunds to Car Thing owners provided they can show proof of purchase – although at the time of writing, Spotify doesn't appear to have put that in writing. However, some users are posting online to say that they've been offered several free months of Spotify Premium after contacting customer services.

— Send story ideas & feedback to: jeff@platformandstream.com

️— Interested in sponsoring the newsletter? You'll find all the details here.​