Music Admin Takes On NYC Music Week, AFM Sues Universal and Warner Over AI Deals, France’s Darcos Bill Gains Global Support

How The Music Business Works - Issue #65

June 11, 2026

Welcome back to How the Music Business Works.

Music Admin’s June events calendar is already underway, with recent stops across Latin music, country, publishing, investment, rights, and independent music.

Earlier this month, the team was part of ADEEM Latina USA in San Diego (June 1–3) and Latino Trailblazers in Country Music in Nashville on June 5. Back in New York, Music Admin hosted the Industry Mixer @ Slate on June 8 with Bob Chiappardi and Concrete Marketing, and sponsored the Music Investors Conference on June 9 at Alice Tully Hall, our third consecutive year. This week, the team remains in New York for:

• AIMP Global Music Publishing Summit 2026, June 8 at High Bar NYC and June 9 at Fordham University’s Lincoln Center campus.
• A2IM Indie Week 2026, June 8 to 11 at the InterContinental New York Times Square.
• Music Row Admin Group (MRAG), June 17, returning as a monthly forum for music administrators, with future gatherings planned every third Wednesday.

Rock & Reel at SoHo House Nashville continues tonight, June 11, with Sinners, the most decorated film of the year. Join us for a conversation about the blues lineage that built American music and the ownership questions a century hasn’t settled. Doors at 6:30, open bar and hors d’oeuvres, film at 7:30 sharp.

Meanwhile, here are the music business stories we’re following this week.

A2IM Indie Week, Music Investor Conference, and New York Music Month kick off in NYC

New York City’s June music calendar opened with major industry events, including New York Music Month, the Music Investor Conference, and A2IM Indie Week. The 9th annual New York Music Month includes more than 60 free events and resources across the five boroughs, spanning performances, professional development, networking, and industry conversations. David Israelite’s invite-only Music Investor Conference focuses on music catalogs, IP, investment, and executive discussions, with leaders from UMPG, Concord, BMG, Primary Wave, Kobalt, Reservoir, Warner Chappell, and more. A2IM Indie Week, taking place June 8 to 11 at the InterContinental New York Times Square, features panels, masterclasses, workshops, community events, and independent-sector programming across labels, distribution, technology, rights, finance, artist services, and operations.

227 collecting societies call on France to pass AI transparency-focused Darcos Bill

New York City’s June music calendar opened with major industry events, including New York Music Month, the Music Investor Conference, and A2IM Indie Week. The 9th annual New York Music Month includes more than 60 free events and resources across the five boroughs, spanning performances, professional development, networking, and industry conversations. David Israelite’s invite-only Music Investor Conference focuses on music catalogs, IP, investment, and executive discussions, with leaders from UMPG, Concord, BMG, Primary Wave, Kobalt, Reservoir, Warner Chappell, and more. A2IM Indie Week, taking place June 8 to 11 at the InterContinental New York Times Square, features panels, masterclasses, workshops, community events, and independent-sector programming across labels, distribution, technology, rights, finance, artist services, and operations.

US musicians’ union sues Universal and Warner over AI deals

The American Federation of Musicians has sued Universal Music and Warner Music over their licensing deals with AI company Udio, with Warner also facing claims related to its Suno deal. The union says the labels breached the AFM-negotiated Sound Recording Labor Agreement by failing to identify which recordings are covered by the AI licenses and by failing to compensate AFM members whose performances appear on those recordings. AFM argues that generative AI tools qualify as a “new use” under the agreement, which requires labels to notify the union and pay musicians when recordings are licensed in ways not already covered. The lawsuit says the labels protected their own interests through settlements and prospective licenses while refusing to compensate musicians whose work is being used in AI training and future model development.

Canada scraps streaming levy plan and announces $600M cultural funding package

Streaming services have welcomed the Canadian government’s announcement of a $600 million annual cultural funding package, which appears to replace a proposed 5% levy on music and video streaming subscriptions. Culture minister Marc Miller said the federal investments will support Canada’s audio and audiovisual sectors while the government develops new policy directions for implementing the Online Streaming Act. The previous levy plan was opposed by music and video streaming services, which argued it could raise consumer costs. DiMA called the new approach a welcome step that supports Canadian artists and culture while protecting affordability, innovation, and consumer choice. The levy never took effect because streaming services had challenged the CRTC plan in court, while Canada’s indie sector had welcomed the funding potential for artists and labels.

Average US streaming user spends $434 yearly on recorded music

The average on-demand streaming user in the US spends $434 per year on recorded music, up nearly 30% from 2020, according to DiMA’s 2026 annual report. The figure comes from a MusicWatch survey of 3,518 US respondents ages 13 to 70, conducted between October and November 2024. The report says the average on-demand subscriber spends $614 annually and accounts for 70% of every dollar spent on recorded music, subscriptions, live music, and merchandise. DiMA’s report also highlights interest in future streaming-service features, with improved audio quality leading at 76% of respondents. Short-form clips and early access to concert tickets each drew 72% interest, while subscriber-exclusive content reached 70%. The findings arrive as subscriber growth slows in established streaming markets and platforms look for additional monetization opportunities beyond standard subscription revenue models.

Random Ramblings:

• Chappell Roan is the new face of MAC Cosmetics’ Viva Glam campaign.
• Spotify links up with LE SSERAFIM, while YouTube rolls out a Madonna video exclusive.
• Kim Petras, horsegiirL, Skrillex, and more land on this week’s Pitchfork Selects playlist.
• Here’s how to stream Primavera Sound 2026 from home.